As part of the X St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum, a presentation of the “Army Culture Days” project from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation was held. The project aims to popularize cultural and historical values, military-patriotic projects, traditions, and the creative heritage of the Russian Federation's peoples, foster mutual respect between different cultures, and create a unified cultural space.
The “Army Culture Days” project from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation was presented at the State Academic Capella in St. Petersburg, one of the main venues of the anniversary United Cultures Forum. The project includes meetings and meaningful discussions, exhibitions, open-air painting sessions, master classes, contests, performances, scientific-practical conferences, and joint performances by vocal and dance groups from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the subjects of the Russian Federation. In 2023, Army Culture Days took place in the Republic of Tuva and this year, in the Tula region and St. Petersburg. In 2025, the event will be held in the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
The event's moderator was the project curator, “Army Culture Days,” Olga Faller, head of the Department of Culture at the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. The presentation also featured the participation of the Director of the Department of Culture at the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Artem Gorny, General Director of the State Academic Capella of St. Petersburg, Olga Khomova, heads of relevant ministries from various subjects of the Russian Federation, and leading figures in Russian culture and the arts. Through a video message, the Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education, and Culture, Lilia Gumerova, welcomed the guests.
"Thank you for choosing our hall to host such a significant event. We are in the Imperial Court Singing Chapel, which has a rich history, including connections with Russia's military history and its great feats. <...> We clearly understand that the patriotic mission is now a mission of all state cultural institutions, regardless of affiliation. <...> I believe this will become a good tradition: today, we have a conference, an exhibition, and a concert—this large-scale event shows the remarkable cultural affiliation of our army. Our talented military personnel are gifted in every way. They are our defenders, but they are also creative people with sensitive souls, producing wonderful paintings and stunning musical compositions that resonate in our hall," said Olga Khomova in her welcoming speech.
"St. Petersburg is a city of military glory and the cradle of the Russian fleet. This city's history and the army's history are inseparably intertwined, and the connection between the city's army culture is genetically rooted and organic. Our country and our army are united. We are united in everything. <...> The idea to hold these Army Culture Days in a broader form arose at the start of the special military operation when we, too, felt the demand from civil society and our creative military community for good cultural dialogue, mutual support, and a sense of national unity in all things, including the highest cultural manifestations at the academic and superior level," emphasized Artem Gorny.
The event featured performances by vocal and dance groups, presentations of Ministry of Defense projects across various regions of the country, the awarding of cultural figures, and, in conclusion, the results of the Ministry of Defense's Culture and Art Awards were announced. The next award ceremony is scheduled for March 25, 2025.
Following the project's presentation, the exhibition “Breathing with Love for the Homeland...” by the Military Artists Studio named after Grekov opened, and a concert by the creative teams of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, “Of Valor, Feats, and Glory...”, was held.
As part of the Forum, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Leningrad Military District and the State Academic Capella of St. Petersburg. The agreement includes plans to create the necessary conditions for servicemen and their families to be involved in culture and the arts and to develop joint creative projects for young people and other groups.