Professor Vitaly Kostomarov had professional and personal relations with the Central Association of Russian Teachers of America (CARTA) for almost twenty years.
The 4th CARTA Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 2002
He first participated in a CARTA Conference in April of 2002. That was the Association’s 4th Conference that was held in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Participants then were impressed with the modesty and classy manners of that world-renowned Russian language scholar. President of the Pushkin Russian Language Institute, President of MAPRYAL, author of hundreds of books and articles, Vitaliy Grigoryevich attended every single presentation, he would not allow himself to miss a talk neither by an experienced professor nor by a college student.
The audience is bursting into laughter when listening to Kostomarov
During the conference’s first day he offered to meet informally with those who were interested in discussing current changes in the Russian language. We met around seven that evening that day and the room was full. Coincidentally, Yevgeny Yevtushenko, who lived in Tulsa and was one of the conference’s unofficial hosts also offered to meet with the participants to recite his new poems. He graciously agreed to do that after Kostomarov’s presentation. Those who were fortunate to be in the audience that night will never forget Kostomarov’s elegance and scholarly thoroughness as well as Yevtushenko’s explosiveness and passion. The evening lasted until after midnight, but nobody really cared- the listeners understood that they were in the presence of greatness.
Visiting East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma, 2002
After the Conference was over, Professor Kostomarov was invited to visit East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. He spent there a couple of days there meeting with students, faculty, and community representatives. By a Decree by the Ada Mayor, April 12, 2002, was declared the Day of Professor Vitaly Kostomarov and the Russian Language in Ada, Oklahoma.
The 12th CARTA Conference, Kansas City, 2010
Professor Kostomarov next participated in the 12th CARTA conference, sponsored by the Johnson Country Community College, in Kansas City in April 2010. Vitaliy Grigoryevich delivered the Plenary Presentation “Thoughts on the Text Forms for Communication” to the audience of almost a hundred teachers of Russian, students, and amateur Russian language and culture admirers.
As in 2002, Yevgeny Yevtushenko was also among the Conference’s special guests. It was a remarkable experience to observe the dynamics between these two Coryphaeuses of the Russian language, to savor the academic classiness and sophistication of Kostomarov alongside with the Yevtushenko’s spontaneity and fervor. It was at that Conference that the CARTA Board made a decision to add a category of “Honorary Member” to its By-Laws Membership Article. The vote was unanimous to award that designation to Professor Kostomarov and Yevgeny Yevtushenko.
The 20th CARTA Conference, Moscow, 2018
As time went by several of the CARTA ‘s members and conference attendees had an opportunity to hear Vitaly Grigorievich’s talks at MAPRYAL and other forums. Early in 2017 the Board had to decide where to hold CARTA’s 20th Jubilee Conference. In the course of the discussion, a comment was made that a perfect place for that special celebration could be the Pushkin Institute in Moscow. The Institute’s leadership supported the CARTA Board’s idea and invited us to be their guests in 2020. And so at the end of May CARTA descended on the friendly turf of the Pushkin Institute. The Institute offered the warmest and most professional setting for the guests. Professor Kostomarov generously shared his time and wisdom with the attendees. During the opening Reception on board a Radisson boat Dr. Vitaliy Kostomarov, offered a toast to “the most prominent of the less commonly taught languages”- Russian. As always, he was energetic, witty, and inspiring.
Professor V.G. Kostomarov with the Pushkin Institute’s Rector, Margarita Rusetskaya (to his right), and Mara Sukholutskaya (to his left)
Prof. Vitaly Grigorievich Kostomarov and Mr. Thomas Leary, Minister Counselor for Public Affairs, United States Embassy in Moscow
The following are memories of Professor Kostomarov by several CARTA members.
"To me, he was and will always remain a revered Master of Russian Studies, a role model in his dedication to the field, and a dear friend the memory of whom I will cherish for as long as I live." - Mara Sukholutskaya, East Central University, Oklahoma
"I think of him as an old school, gentleman-scholar. A world leader in his field yet gracious with his time for others." - Alvin Turner, East Central University, Oklahoma
"I will always remember Professor Kostomarov’s wonderful presentations at CARTA conferences in 2010 and 2018 on contemporary Russian and the short conversation I had with him in Moscow about current trends in linguistics. I was so impressed by his vast erudition, his remarkable wisdom and modesty. We lost a great scholar, an outstanding linguist and a great, admirable teacher. Вечная память, дорогой Виталий Григорьевич!" - Valentina Iepuri, University of Mississippi
"I knew OF Kostomarov long before I ever met him because as a teacher I used Russian For Everybody as a textbook for a number of years. I don't remember a specific conversation with him, but as others have said, I was struck with his kindness, his humility, and the pleasure he seemed to take in being present at our CARTA conferences." - Sally Ziebell, Harding Charter School, Oklahoma
"It was an honor to listen to Vitaly Kostomarov live - and thanks to CARTA, this giant of Russian linguistics and language teaching was within reach for me in 2010, in Kansas City! He beguiled with his combination of sophistication and ease, of academic and an excited, boyish twinkle in the eye when speaking about various aspects of Russian language, when pondering out loud in response to the audience's questions. It is that twinkle that I remember most vividly! He truly loved and lived what he studied." - Olga Randolph, University of Tulsa
"Professor Kostomarov clearly showed his devotion to his field of Russian language when he spoke at the CARTA Conference in Moscow in 2018, both at the reception and just before we made the trip to Yaroslavl'. Coincidentally, I was just looking at his book that he, a most outstanding academic, signed for me at the conference in Kansas City a few years earlier, and that brought all good thoughts to mind." - Matthew Feeney, University of Kansas
"In 1985, I met for the first time Dr. Vitali Grigorievich Kostomarov as I had just begun investigating Russian newspaper terms and expressions, which were quickly evolving. Prior to this, the topic was unknown to me. Fortunately, it was during this time, I discovered Dr. Kostomarov’s insightful book, The Russian Language on a newspaper column: Some Specifics of Modern Newspaper Journalism, Moscow, 1971. Unbeknown to me as a young student, other older students, professors, and schoolteachers kept his book on their desks as a guide. In May 2018, I met Dr. Kostomarov, then President of the Institution of Russian Language in Moscow. On the opening night of the conference, he warmly welcomed CARTA members on a Moscow River cruise. At dinner, Dr. Kostomarov and I discussed his books and the endings of Russian cases in modern place-names. Additionally, he shared his conversations with Kornei Ivanovich Chukovski, the father of children’s books, whose stories and poems were a part of my childhood. I listened to his quiet voice and unforgettable comments about modern Russian and saw an invisible time-thread between Chukovski – Kostomarov – and my youthful studies and growing interest in becoming a Russian professor and work with CARTA. Dr. Kostomarov, with his vast knowledge of diverse Russian styles, and numerous methods of teaching, for me, achieved the apex of academic Olympus." - Irina Barclay, Appalachian State University, North Carolina
"To me, Professor Kostomarov was an outstanding philosopher, linguist, and passionate promoter of the Russian language and culture. I admired his brilliant intellect, benevolence, and humor. I feel fortunate having been able to attend several of his incredible presentations." - Elena Doshlygina, The University of Tulsa, Oklahoma
"Beyond the huge contribution he made to Russian language studies, Steven and I were struck by his kindness and humility when we welcomed us all to the CARTA conference in Moscow." - Adrienne Harris and Steven Jug, Baylor University, Texas
"I will never forget Kostomarov's "Russian for Everyone" textbook which brought joy to so many students and made them feel that they were making progress in studying one of the most challenging languages to teach and study." - Harold Schefski, University in Long Beach, California
"Я знал Виталия Григорьевича недолго и совсем немного, но это был такой крупный человек, такая яркая и увлекательная личность, так необходим для ощущения того, что есть еще люди на земле, глядя на которых ты думаешь: Господи, все-таки есть смысл в том, что мы существуем!" - Victor Dmitriev, Oklahoma State University
"I remember Professor Kostomarov and his beautiful speeches. He never used 'posh' words and expressions, and yet, his manner of speaking made everyone around him pay attention to what is being said. He really was the master of words...a true believer in the Russian language and in peace through communication. Dr. Kostomarov's speech at the 20th CARTA conference in Moscow was dedicated to people's desire to be heard and understood. He is really missed." - Tamara Karakozova, University of Mississippi
Vitaly Grigoryevich accepted CARTA’s invitation to participate in the 22nd Conference in Washington DC this April and was looking forward to that event. His daughter, Maria, shared with us that the CARTA’s invitation was found in the center of his desk in his apartment, and also that the thought of coming to the Conference was giving him hope and strength to fight his illness.
Mara Sukholutskaya, CARTA President
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