St Petersburg cultural forum opens today

The IV St Petersburg International Cultural Forum begins today, bringing more than 250 cultural events and participants from over 40 countries to Russia’s second city.

The opening ceremony for the three-day forum will take place this evening at the New Mariinsky Theatre. The main guest of the evening will be the director general of UNESCO, Irina Bokova. The opening will also see the changeover ceremony from the 2015 “Year of Literature” to the 2016 “Year of Russian Cinema”.

One of the most significant events taking place as part of the forum will be the meeting devoted to the 70th anniversary of UNESCO, in which leading Russian and international artists and politicians will present reports on the activities of international organisations in the spheres of culture, education and science. Notably, the Ethnographic Museum will also host an exhibition showcasing the Ministry of Culture’s most significant projects, entitled Territory of Culture, and participants will be able to attend a conversation entitled “Social theatre: history, world experience and prospects for development” at the main headquarters of the Hermitage, moderated by the artistic director of the Bolshoi Drama Theatre, Andrey Moguchy.

The IV St Petersburg International Cultural Forum will take place from 14 to 16 December 2015. It aims to facilitate open dialogue and exchange of ideas and experiences between experts in the spheres of culture, cultural policy and business, as well as politicians and representatives of state bodies.

Source: Lenta (in Russian)