On the sidelines of the X St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum, the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Olga Lyubimova, held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Serbia and Kazakhstan.
During her conversation with the Serbian Minister of Culture, Nikola Selaković, Lyubimova emphasized that Russia and Serbia are actively developing cooperation between theater institutions. Last year, the National Theatre in Belgrade presented War and Peace on the stage of the Alexandrinsky Theater. Following that, the Big Tours program saw a reciprocal performance by the St. Petersburg theater in Serbia’s capital with a production of The Marriage. Earlier this year, the St. Petersburg Chamber Music Theater and the Moscow Soloists Choir performed concerts in Belgrade.
Additionally, the contacts between Russia and Serbia are expanding in the fields of libraries and museums, with growing mutual interest in each country’s national cinema. In November 2023, the Russian Film Festival was held at the Russian House in Belgrade and the Cultural Center of Novi Sad. Serbian films were featured in the 46th Moscow International Film Festival program held this spring.
This year will also mark the fifth Russian-Serbian Cultural Forum, involving the leaders of major cultural institutions.
"We plan to tie this event to the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade from the fascist invaders. In connection with the forum, the Days of Russian Culture in Serbia will take place—a traditional project featuring performances by creative groups from Russia," Lyubimova explained.
Nikola Selaković, in turn, proposed organizing a second Hermitage Days event in Serbia, noting the huge success of the first event last year.
The Serbian side also expressed interest in holding master classes by instructors from the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in Belgrade and supporting the launch of a national folk music academy. Moreover, Selaković suggested paying greater attention to translating Serbian literature into Russian.
Both parties expressed their intention to expand cooperation in all cultural areas at the inter-ministerial level and through direct institutional collaboration.
In her conversation with Kazakhstan's Minister of Culture and Information, Aida Balayeva, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation, Mikhail Shvydkoy, also participated.
"In October this year, a major, long-awaited project is planned. On October 16, the Astana Opera will perform the masterpiece of Kazakh musical art, the opera Abai, on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater, Russia’s main theater," Lyubimova highlighted.
Aida Balayeva expressed hope that the contacts established at the Forum would help intensify the creative exchange between the two countries.
The ministers confirmed the agreements reached during Lyubimova’s visit to Almaty in the spring regarding preparations for the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. Mikhail Shvydkoy proposed that the Kazakh side explore the possibility of creating a joint documentary film dedicated to the shared historical date. The ministers warmly supported this initiative.
Another important topic of conversation was the search for talented playwrights. Lyubimova informed her counterpart about Russia’s Author program, which supports playwrights and scriptwriters.
The ministers also emphasized the need to draft a bilateral cooperation plan for the medium term to ensure proper event planning and familiarize the citizens of both countries with the finest examples of each other’s art.