24 Aug 2022 21:56

Russian presidential envoy doesn't hope for restoration of interstate cultural dialogue with EU in 2023

MOSCOW. Aug 24 (Interfax) - The resumption of dialogue between state institutions in the sphere of culture of Russia and unfriendly countries should not be expected this year, but interaction continues at the level of cultural establishments, Russian presidential envoy for international cultural cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoi said.

"Dialogue between countries is taking place on many levels. If we speak about dialogue between the bureaucratic structures of the European Union and unfriendly countries, I think it's unrealistic in 2023, I mean the Culture Ministry, state institutions, etc. A signal on that matter was given from the very start. I think we can't hope for that," Shvydkoi said, responding to a question from Interfax as to whether cultural dialogue between Russia and so-called unfriendly countries can be restored in 2023.

"As to cultural establishments, cultural figures, organizations, I think such dialogue exists [between Russia and other countries] today as well," he said.

As an example, Shvydkoi mentioned the opening of the 17th Russian Culture Festival in Japan, which will take place on August 29. He also said the La Scala theater in Milan is opening the season on December 7 with the opera Boris Godunov by Russian composer Modest Musorgsky.

"It's enough to understand that the announced cancel culture is more political-bureaucratic in nature than professional and human," he said.