VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
“Russia has a chance not only to preserve its culture but to use it as a powerful force for progress in international markets. The Russian language is spoken in nearly all the former Soviet republics and in a significant part of Eastern Europe. This is not about empire, but rather cultural progress. Exporting education and culture will help promote Russian goods, services and ideas; guns and imposing political regimes will not.”
“The government will pay special attention to how museums, theatres, libraries and creative societies operate in small towns, where there is the greatest deficiency of cultural pastimes. The Ministry of Culture together with heads of regions should draft a government cultural development programme for small towns and put it up for broad discussion by the intellectual community.”
“Cultural practices should regain their key role as leisure organisations. We will promote a system of amateur creative activities starting from secondary school, where the position of children's creative work organiser should be introduced (in each particular case the position can be filled by a film director, a painter, a choreographer or a musician), and allocate other needed resources. The important thing is that children should become familiar with Russia's national culture while still in school.”
“We must ensure that each citizen enjoys broad and unrestricted access to national and global cultural values. The government will support the creation of public electronic libraries, as well as museum and theatre Internet resources; it will purchase the rights to the free distribution on the Internet of outstanding films and plays.”
“We see fewer and fewer literary publications in the languages of small ethnic groups of Russia. This cultural diversity that we often mention and that we take pride in could be lost unless we recover this system of support for cultures and languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation. Quite simply, it is necessary to extend funds.”
“A 2.5 billion-rouble loan is to be issued for the «Film Club: Culture, Education, Communications» project involving the creation of a cluster of such clubs as part of the KinoCity project. At least 250 multimedia cinemas are to be built, above all in small and medium-sized towns. There is not enough social infrastructure of this kind in our small and medium-sized towns, and everything must be done to get this project up and running.”
“The intellectual and cultural potential of the nation are shaped by how much we read and how much we publish; but even more than that, they are shaped by the moral and ethical values that are conveyed by these books; whether they encourage critical thinking, reflection and analysis. <…> It is for the good of the country and its future that we will revive our people's appetite for a good read. We have all the necessary tools for this: talented authors and professional publishers.”
“Reading high quality and serious literature directly influences people’s level of education and cultural sophistication. It sets social trends and shapes the nation’s aspirations to make scientific and economic breakthroughs and other significant achievements. To a great extent, it serves as a springboard for the entire nation, giving it a competitive edge on the world scene.”
“It is an excellent ground for arts enthusiasts and theatre lovers, in particular. <…> The theatre was joined by people with both the talent and enthusiasm necessary to take charge of this work and push through it. It is a real pleasure to see this enthusiasm”.
"One of its (Government programme “Russian Culture”) main elements will be the development of museums in Russia and the preservation of museum collections. Under the programme, the material and technical base of federal and municipal museums will be strengthened, some of the museum items will be restored, and conditions for the safety and accessibility of exhibits will be created. <…> I think it would be proper to form an interagency commission to ensure the preservation of the museum collections of the Russian Federation."
"It would not be an overstatement to say that the Tchaikovsky Competition is this country's most prestigious music contest, part of our national heritage. It reflects how our society relates to the arts in general, and to music in particular. And it reflects our nation's pride in the remarkable contribution it has made to the world treasury of art."
“Language and a country's spiritual, cultural and historical heritage are what define national identity and bind together the people, society, and the entire country. What’s more, in many ways, these form the foundations for state sovereignty. And therefore, I think it is absolutely right that we focus on these issues and take advantage of new opportunities that become available to us.”
“As you know, we plan to adopt the state programme “Culture of Russia,” and as early as the beginning of 2012, we will substantially increase funding for museums and libraries. <…>Of course, one of the priorities here is to support the Russian language – strengthening its position as an international language and generating interest in Russian language, literature and history both among the peoples of the Russian Federation and in other countries.”
“Naturally, many items stored at the Hermitage are of global cultural significance. It is the pride of Russia, and we must make sure that this date is celebrated accordingly. I’m referring not only to the celebration but also to using this anniversary as an occasion to carry out a series of long overdue measures to strengthen the museum.”
“Obviously, we cannot ensure a high level of culture in this country without due attention to and support for its cultural environment. To achieve this, it is imperative that we have a strong material-technical base that meets modern demands. <…> In making a decision on the construction or renovation of cultural facilities, it is necessary to determine the concept behind a given theatre’s development, choose a competitive repertoire, and hire a decent company so that it can live a fully-fledged life and fulfill its noble mission rather than lie idle or simply get leased out, as it happens sometimes, regrettably.”
“I’d like to address all those present and even those who are not here but are directly linked to the arts and have devoted their lives to this cause: we need modern, domestic content. What Mr Fokin said about the need to create an appropriate environment for that work – in this case in theatre arts – is very important. If we don’t do so, foreign producers will just squeeze us out as is the case in many European countries. If so, we will have to introduce non-market forms of regulation, which means that we will restrict our audiences and deprive them of choice.”
“I suggest that United Russia should propose and execute a special, socially important project to support Russian museums and contribute to restoring sites of historical or cultural interest. War memorials should receive special attention. While moving forward, we must always remember that we are building our future on a strong foundation – the 1,000-year history of Russia, its accomplishments, the courage and patience of our fathers.”
“I’m sure you’ll agree that cinema has a high educational potential, and can promote high civic and moral values, as well as mutual respect and tolerance, which is all the more relevant in a multi-ethnic and multi-faith country like ours. As I understand it, some specific proposals have been prepared for today’s meeting, ones related to the construction of new, modern movie theaters.”
“Russia is a very wealthy country, and that our greatest wealth lies in our cultural diversity, as I said at the beginning. And so it is very important that we understand your work, that we begin to understand the problems and trials of our ancestors, what our country went through as it took shape... the difficulties they encountered and how they overcame them. This allows us to say with confidence that we will overcome the problems we face today. And if we achieve success, it won't go to our heads or prevent our further progress. Everybody knows this, but I'll say it anyway: we can only be sure that we are building the right future if we know the past.”
"We will make with priority given to support for young musicians. Over half of the four billion roubles appropriated for grants will be allotted for young musicians, choreographic and music schools, conservatories and so on. We are certainly going to support touring musicians. People living in remote Russian regions must not feel alienated from the country's cultural life."
