On 12 February 2026, Ivanovo welcomed Ekaterina Entina, a scholar, Professor at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, Director of the Mediterranean Studies Centre, Doctor of Political Science, and Balkanist. This was her first visit to the Ivanovo region. The project is being implemented by the ‘Russian-Balkan Dialogue’ Centre for International Cooperation and the Russian-Balkan Centre for Business Cooperation and Culture, with the support of PMK-710.
At a regular meeting of the Ivanovo State University Balkan Club, Ekaterina Gennadyevna delivered a unique lecture to the students who specialise in history, international relations, and social science. She dedicated her lecture to the involvement of world powers in political, economic, and cultural processes in the Balkan states. The guest’s vibrant talk on the Balkan situation encouraged students and professors to take part in an active dialogue. Ekaterina Gennadyevna was asked a wide range of engaging questions, spanning from domestic politics of the region’s countries – such as the role of communist parties in former socialist Balkan states – to the reasons behind the successes and failures of China, Russia, and the US in extending their influence across the region.
Of particular interest to the audience was Ekaterina Gennadyevna’s reference to the projects of the Gorchakov Fund. She spoke about the academic mobility opportunities available for our students, sharing her own experience of applying for grants and student internships in the Balkans.
Another unique meeting was held at the Ivanovo House of Nationalities. The participants were offered a guided tour showcasing an outstanding collection of costumes. The guest noted that this was her first time in the city, but certain locations reminded her of her native Ekaterinburg. Ekaterina Gennadyevna also expressed her surprise at the scale of cooperation between the Ivanovo region and the Balkans, and spoke highly of the concept of the House of Nationalities as a centre for integration.
The participants of the meeting discussed the modern development of the Balkan Peninsula in the face of geopolitical challenges and the prospects for cooperation between Russian and Balkan regions. Among those who atttended the meeting were Evgeny Osenkov, Head of the ‘Russian-Balkan Dialogue’ Centre; Mikhail Yaruev, Head of the Russian-Balkan Centre for Business Cooperation; Alexander Muravyov, Head of the Russian-Serbian Club; and Serbian diaspora representatives Miroljub Stojković and Bogdan Mastilović. The guests raised a number of pertinent questions about contemporary Balkan affairs and international relations. The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.
Following the event, Ekaterina Entina shared her thoughts on her visit to the Ivanovo region in an exclusive comment for the Balkan Business Club:
‘It is a common belief among both the general public and, quite often, experts and politicians that science and international academic ties truly develop only in metropolises, where opportunities, allure, and a high standard of research are concentrated. But, in fact, this is a major misconception; practice has proven time and again that it is within the regions and provinces that the most unconventional topics are developed deeply and comprehensively. People here, far more often than in metropolises, dedicate their heart, soul, and entire professional life to a single subject; they are ready to pass on this love and passion to their students!
Ivanovo is no exception: it has created a unique symbiosis of love, warmth, and professional knowledge; people here are ready to implement the most fascinating projects, by any means and without abundant resources! The region has established itself as a true centre for Balkan studies and is just as well-known in Serbia and the Balkans as the institutes in the capital. I would like to wish my colleagues continued growth and achievement. I will be delighted to return to this unique region to see first-hand the projects into which the local people pour their hearts, and, of course, to visit the unique village of Sarayevo – the ancestral estate of Alexander Suvorov!’
Miroljub Stojković speaking at the meeting
Miroljub Stojković, a member of the region’s Serbian diaspora, noted that Ekaterina Entina’s visit to the Ivanovo region had renewed his confidence and inspired him to pursue new achievements in the development of interregional Russian-Balkan ties. ‘She is a true living angel,’ he shared in an exclusive comment for the Balkan Business Club.
