Publications
The Russian Civic Chamber's Commission on Preservation and Development of Culture seems to move from one scandalous topic to the next. At its previous meeting, a discussion of the general development plan of Moscow, representatives of the city stormed out of the hall following an emotional speech by art collector Marat Gelman. At its most recent meeting, the collective effect of speeches of Mr. Gelman, commission chairman and director of the Central House of the Artist Vitaly Bychkov and numerous museum representatives was enough to drive archpriest Vsevold Chaplin out of the room.
However, if during the meeting on Moscow’s development...
In recent years interest toward Russia and Russian culture has been on the rise in France. It is no coincidence that 2010 has been declared the Year of Russia in France, which entails over 350 various cultural events related to Russian history and culture: exhibitions, tours by musical groups and much more. The celebration of the Year of Russia in France will undoubtedly have a positive influence on the teaching of the Russian language, which hasn’t been all that popular in France recently. Although one shouldn’t call it a crisis situation, as in comparison with other countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, there are a...
The recent celebration of World Press Freedom Day reminds us once again about how often this freedom is violated. And this is true not only in countries where tyranny reigns, but in countries that have signed the European Convention on Human Rights but that nonetheless do not pay much attention to Article 10 on an individual’s right to express his opinion.
This issue is accompanied by another problem, when the freedom to express oneself comes into confrontation with another freedom – freedom of religion, and the right of an confession to demand due respect. Sometimes these demands are accompanied by threats, threats which are...
In the resolution on the victims of famine in the USSR in 1932-1933 adopted April 28, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) de facto declined to call the so-called Golodomor genocide of the Ukrainian people. This brings to an end one of the most scandalous disputes between Ukraine during Yushchenko’s presidency and Russia, the resolution of which was much facilitated by the new head of state in Ukraine. Speaking to the assembly a day prior to the adoption of the resolution, Viktor Yanuvkovich said that he believes it would be incorrect and unjust to call Golodomor a genocide aimed at a specific people. With...
On April 28, Donatas Banionis turned 86 years old. Banionis lives in Vilnius together with his son and his family. Last year he was awarded that the Order of Honor by President Dmitry Medvedev for his contribution to the development of theatrical and film arts and his many years of creative work. Our correspondent spoke with this great actor on the eve of his birthday.
– Of the hundred or so theatrical roles and over fifty film roles, it seems that on the villain in the Adventures of Prince Florizel was the clearly negative character. And other than the role of the kolkhoz chairman, your heroes have been apolitical. Weren’t...
A new fundamental law on culture that would regulate state policy in this area was recently discussed in parliamentary hearings. Cultural development plays an important role in the foreign relations of the state, helping form the image of the country abroad. We spoke with Grogory Ivliev, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Culture, about foreign policy in the cultural sphere, its aims and objectives.
The place and authority of the Russian state in the world is determined not only by its political position and economic resources but also by the great culture of the country, its spiritual, intellectual and innovative potential. Thus...
