In a current complex geopolitical situation, when it is more than ever important to develop mutual global cooperation, a number of countries continue unfriendly actions against Russia. For example, last year we witnessed attempts of the Western states to cancel or boycott Russian cultural events under the pretext of the Ukrainian crisis. However, it is impossible to inflict any harm to culture that dates back 1000 years.
Great Russian author, Vladimir Nabokov, described the tendency to dismiss culture as a form of vulgarity. The last time such a campaign to eliminate unwanted culture was carried by the Nazis in Germany almost 90 years ago: books were burnt right on the square. Ukraine followed the same policy after Euromaidan protests in 2013 where they tried to ban Russian language.
However, I do hope that we live in different times. In spite of unfriendly actions of certain foreign states, Russian language and Russian cultural events are in great demand. Our artists perform at the best world stages, music of our composers such as Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Dmitry Shostakovich, Sergei Rachmaninoff are performed at the best world concert halls, our movies and artists gain international competitions awards. Asia and the Pacific are not an exclusion. Mariinsky Theatre just finished a broadest-ever tour across China with their beautiful ballet and opera performances in November 2023. This year the Russian Culture Festivals were held in Hong Kong and Tokyo.
On November 21-24, 2023 Russian cultural events also took place in Singapore that after a year break hosted the Fifth Russian Film Week, which traditionally includes not only film screenings but also cultural and business events. We are grateful to the host country for hospitality. The aim was to promote Russian cinema internationally as well as positive image of Russia abroad and the traditional values of the Russian people that contribute to establishment of cultural ties between Russia and countries of Asia and the Pacific.
The events were organized by the Russia-Singapore Business Council with the support of the Embassy of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Singapore. It started on November 21, at the Capitol Theatre with the concert of the most prominent Russian musician of his generation Mr. Denis Matsuev, who was also greatly involved in the development of Russian music culture and education. Mr. Matsuev brought to the local stage well known classics along with the groovy jazz melodies. The audience was hypnotized by the emotional and poetic performance of the pianist.
The next day after fruitful discussion at the Russia-Singapore Business Dialogue which touched upon such important issues as bilateral and multilateral cooperation, the emerging Greater Eurasian Partnership, at the Four Seasons Hotel was launched an opening ceremony of the Fifth Russian Film Week. The event was attended by the representatives of the Russian and local authorities, cultural institutions, diplomatic corps, media and business communities.
This year film program brought to Singapore all the genre diversity of Russian cinematography from sports drama to good family comedies, including such Russian hits as “Cheburashka” (directed by Mr. Dmitriy Dyachenko), “Emergency landing” (directed by Mr. Sarik Andreasyan), “Eleven silent men” (directed by Mr. Aleksey Pimanov and Ms. Ekaterina Pobedinskaya). All these movies were represented by Russian actors and directors who spoke about these films and their main themes – family, intergenerational understanding, bringing up children and much more. Among actors who came to Singapore were Russian actors Mr. Fyodor Dobronravov and Mr. Andrey Chernyshov.
I believe that culture is a creative, kind and unifying power and its role is very important especially in times when there are forces that are stubbornly trying to cause discord in the global community. I am sure that these cultural events became a real celebration of Russian culture in Singapore and brought all the participants the feelings of unity and happiness.
Russia consistently advocates for the development and depoliticization of international humanitarian cooperation. I am convinced that all the above-mentioned events held in Singapore would help strengthen the image of our country as a world-class cultural state, contribute to maintaining interethnic peace and harmony, protecting traditional spiritual and moral values as well as to mutual understanding and respect between nations and trust especially needed in the time of fundamental geopolitical shifts.
The author of the article is H.E. Nikolay Kudashev, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Singapore.
