African media representatives: the National Centre RUSSIA is changing perceptions of the country
Janet Leonard, a correspondent with the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation working at the International Press Centre at the National Centre RUSSIA, admitted that she had felt some apprehension before travelling to Russia. However, after seeing our country for herself, the visitor from Africa completely changed her perception of it.
"My perception of Russia has completely changed: I can see that it is a very welcoming and safe country with kind and pleasant people. And I feel like a pioneer who will tell my fellow citizens that everything they have heard about Russia over the years is actually untrue. It is simply the result of negative propaganda — much like what we experience in Africa, because we too are victims of Western propaganda," said Janet Leonard.
The National Centre RUSSIA made a particularly strong impression on the visitor from Tanzania. Her words added another important dimension to the perception of the venue, which has become more than a modern, comfortable press centre for African media professionals: it is also a place where international visitors can get to know Russia better or see it in a new light through culture, architecture, atmosphere and attention to detail.
"The National Centre RUSSIA is a vast and amazing space. As a journalist working at the press centre, I have access to everything here. We also have various centres in our country, but they are all in separate locations. Here, I can attend business events, explore the culture and history, and gain an overall understanding of every region of Russia without even stepping outside. It is truly very impressive and worthy of praise. We definitely need something similar — and on the same scale," Janet Leonard shared.
Many other African media representatives share the Tanzanian correspondent's impressions. The International Press Centre at the National Centre RUSSIA for the two summits — the eighth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) and the third Russia–Africa Summit — continues to operate around the clock until 30 October. Around 1,700 media representatives from 70 countries have been accredited for the summits.
On 30 October, the joint International Press Centre at the National Centre RUSSIA concluded its work covering.
On 30 October, Charlotte Epel Akol, daughter of Jessica Alupo, Vice-President of the Republic of Uganda, visited the National Centre RUSSIA.
