NEWS November 2010:

On the 4 November in the Moscow Kremlin by Presidential Decree, Sarah Smyth, Head of the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies (TCD), was awarded the prestigious Medal of Pushkin.

This medal is awarded annually to no more than ten recipients in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the promotion of Russian language and culture in the world.

Asked about how she felt being the first Irish person to be honoured in this way, Sarah said: ‘In the context of Bono’s concert in Moscow and meeting with President Medvedev during the summer, President Mary MacAleese’s visit to Russia in September and the Taoiseach’s planned trip in the coming year, the award highlights a significant shift in Irish-Russian relations and bodes well for future developments.”

Previous recipients have included the renowned Russian scholar and lexicographer, Professor Marcus Wheeler, formerly of The Queen’s University Belfast, and Lyudmila Putina, for her pioneering work in and with the Russian-speaking diaspora since the formation of the Russian Federation.

Sarah’s career as a Russianist began in the early eighties. She is the author of a number of widely acclaimed Russian language textbooks and is currently principal investigator on a major IRCHSS-funded research project on Russian speakers in Ireland.

Dr Sarah Smyth - Head of School

Dr Sarah Smyth - Head of School with Russia's President Medvedev