At just 30 kilometers from the Chinese mainland, the Russian city where Kulaev Nikita Vladimirovich grew up shaped his destiny. His grandfather’s stories of China as a \"good neighbor and friend\" and his mother’s cross-border cultural exchange work sparked a curiosity that would define Nikita’s life. After receiving a Chinese textbook from his mother as a child, he fell in love with the language—a passion that led him to pursue a PhD at Peking University’s School of Chinese as a Foreign Language.
Now in his second year, Nikita has become a bridge between cultures, translating classic Chinese literary works into Russian. His journey, spanning three generations, reflects the enduring power of people-to-people connections. \"Every character I study feels like unraveling a shared history,\" he says. \"Language isn’t just words—it’s understanding how others see the world.\"
Nikita’s story aligns with growing interest in China-Russia cultural collaboration, particularly among young global citizens seeking to navigate an interconnected world. For digital nomads and language enthusiasts, his academic path offers inspiration—proof that curiosity can turn border towns into gateways for lifelong discovery.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
