According to Mikhail Novitsky, RKDS Chairman in 1992-2004, the main aim of the Union, set up in 1945, is to enhance cultural awareness among Finland's Russian-speaking population, including promotion of the Russian language, culture and traditions in Finland.
In cooperation with Russian cultural organizations RKDS conducts public relations campaigns across Finland, holds youth festivals and sets up summer camps for children. In addition, it is a founder of the Sadko club, co-founder of the society for support of the Finnish-Russian school, the Forum of Finland's Russian-speaking people and the Finnish Association of Russian-Speaking Societies (FARO).
The program of the RKDS anniversary celebrations also features the Russian Meetings festival which is to be held in Helsinki on April 3. The festival will bring together representatives of Russian-speaking organizations from all over Finland, including Turku, Tampere, Lakhti, Kotki and other cities.
The festival, held this year for the 32nd time, was organized jointly by RKDS and the Russian Science and Culture Center in Helsinki.
The festival program features mostly cultural events such as performances of diverse dance companies and music groups, art exhibitions and stage productions. Children's artistic achievements feature prominently at the festival.
In addition, the program includes a seminar on the status of Russian-speaking people in Finland. The festival will be closed with a gala concert.
According to Novitsky, "the festival is rightfully given credit for being one of the major events bringing together Finland's Russian-speaking population."
