Expenditures on culture should be raised to 2% of Russia’s federal budget, up from the current 0.8%, Russian Minister of Culture Alexander Avdeev said at the World Russian People’s Council meeting.
Culture is “an instrument for preserving and nurturing a person’s character, a patriot,” the minister said. It forms ones intellect, worldview and moral foundation, and thus should be paid proper attention by the state.
Cultural infrastructure will only be sufficient if 2% or more of the state budget is dedicated to culture. Right now it only amounts to 0.8%, Avdeev said.
The minister said he was glad that Russia’s three-level education system for artistic professions had been preserved, despite globalization pressures and the requirements of the Bologna Process. The ministry will continue to defend this position in the future.
Avdeev also mentioned the poor condition of Russian libraries and low salaries of library and museum works. He asked that the participants of the meeting make their voices heard support of finding more funds for these purposes. While protecting and preserving items worth millions, they are paid but a pittance.
