Bulgarian Culture Minister in Russia visit

Bulgarian Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov has travelled on an official visit to Russia, seeking to strengthen cultural ties and promote exchanges between the two countries.

Mr Rashidov was accompanied by representatives from the National Art Gallery and the National Musical Theatre in Sofia.

During the visit, which came to an end yesterday, Mr Rashidov met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Medinsky, as well as the head of the Tretyakov Gallery, Zelfira Tregulova. He was reportedly successful in securing joint exhibitions between Bulgarian and Russian cultural institutions.

In addition to discussions surrounding cultural exchange, the Bulgarian Culture Minister awarded the highest Bulgarian state honour, the “Golden Age” award, to film director Nikita Mikhalkov and and head of the Mariinsky Theatre Valery Gergiev. Both Mr Mikhalkov, who is known for his patriotic views and strong support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Mr Gergiev have already received the Russian Order “For Merit to the Fatherland”.

Source: Novinite