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Russia woos Global South through cultural diplomacy, soft power
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Russia fosters cultural cooperation through cinema, theater, music, and museum culture
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Putin further added “Culture has always been a safeguard for peace, but in some countries, it seems this safeguard has failed”, Russian President Vladimir Putin
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Saint Petersburg International United Cultures Forum concludes in Russia, promoting cultural cooperation under Silk Road Spirit
By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia
Saint Petersburg: The 10th Saint Petersburg International United Cultures Forum concluded in the cultural city of St. Petersburg, creating a great resonance both in Eurasia and in the world as Russia builds stronger multilateral engagements with countries of Global South at all levels through cultural diplomacy, and cultural cooperation through cinema, theater, music, and museum.
The Forum was held in St. Petersburg from September 11 to 14, 2024, offering a platform for open dialogue on global cultural and humanitarian issues. The central theme of the 2024 forum was “Culture of the 21st Century: Sovereignty or Globalism?”
The forum’s business agenda featured ten thematic sections covering topics such as “The Right to Heritage in a Multipolar World,” “Artificial Intelligence in Culture and National Sovereignty,” and “Cultural Heritage: Traditions and Modernity.” Other areas of focus include cinema, theater, music, and museum culture.
The events of the forum included discussions related to Russia’s leadership of BRICS and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), as well as international cultural collaboration.
Around 1,700 participants attended the forum, and delegates of the participating countries held meetings with the Russian cultural groups in similar fields, and also met with representatives of a number of participating countries.
At forum, the participants shared their views, knowledge and experience with other delegates on deepening partnership and friendship across all sectors – economy, trade but most importantly civilisational exchanges among those who have attended the prestigious forum dubbed as “the other Davos; the Eurasian Davos”.
The forum aimed to review international cooperation, mutual enrichment between cultures, and presenting differences for consultations among creative forces, in addition to the positive role of culture in the lives of peoples, the organizers stated.
International cultural issues were addressed, and special attention was paid to the future and the distinguished role of culture in resolving conflict was highlighted at forum.
One of the prime feature of the forum was, the Hermitage Prize, established by the Forum Organizing Committee in cooperation with the State Hermitage Museum, was awarded to two prominent cultural figures – one Russian and one foreign – for achievements in the field of culture and art and for strengthening international cultural dialogue.
Highlighting the vital significance of cultural values for global peace at the Plenary Session of the X St. Petersburg International Forum of United Cultures, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated “Russia observes the consequences of dehumanization by ruling regimes in several countries and how it affects individuals”.
President Putin further said “the agenda being imposed today often insults the religions and cultures of many peoples, which many countries find unacceptable”.
“In Russia, we have defined our core values and are defending these values, along with all who share them — those who, like us, consider the right to speak one’s native language and preserve the faith of their ancestors as sacred, living in harmony with nature according to its natural laws, Putin added.
“We do not oppose other values, but we support our own. This is the difference in approach between us and our opponents”, Putin noted.
Putin further added “Culture has always been a safeguard for peace, but in some countries, it seems this safeguard has failed” , and “any high-ranking politicians today have lost their moral boundaries and violate taboos that were respected even during the Cold War”.
President Putin emphasized that “Culture should and can exist without interference and without the “cancel culture”.
“Creative, scientific, and educational activities are capable of countering division and discord: Putin stated.
Russia has always developed as a multi-ethnic state, which is reflected in our traditions, President Putin concluded.
Speaking at forum, Andrey Malyshev, Deputy Minister of Culture of Russia, emphasized that the Jubilee United Cultures Forum showcased Russia’s chairmanship of the CIS and BRICS and a multilateral discussion on the prospects of international cultural cooperation.
The main venues of the Forum’s business program were the headquarters of the State Hermitage Museum, the State Academic Chapel of St. Petersburg, and the Winter Palace.
Cultural events were held at the Mikhailovsky Theatre, the Mariinsky Theatre, the Mikhailovsky Garden, the Marble Palace, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Peterhof Museum-Reserve.
Organized by the Russian government, the Ministry of Culture, and the St. Petersburg government, the forum’s main partner was VEB.RF.
