Mikhail Shvydkoy, Russian President’s Special Representative on International Cultural Cooperation. Graduated from the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS) with a degree in theatre studies, holds a doctorate in art history. Since 2023 he has held the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. He has worked in the media for many years. From 2000 to 2004 he was Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation. He is a Goodwill Ambassador of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

BRICS, Africa, South-East Asia and CIS countries took part in the St Petersburg Forum of United Cultures. Cooperation agreements were signed with some of them. What role do such agreements play?

Documents such as inter-ministerial and intergovernmental agreements in the field of science, culture and education are important from the point of view of planning state budgets in these areas. When we talk about developing ties with countries in Latin America, Africa or South-East Asia, we are talking about huge transport costs. Bringing the Bolshoi Theatre to Vietnam would be a completely different story than, say, to Astana or Baku. Naturally, it is impossible to organise such events without state support. Therefore, such documents are important for the development of cultural cooperation programme. Now we are negotiating with Vietnam to hold a cross year of science and education, the organisation of which will require large funds.

The Bolshoi Ballet Company performed in Thailand. How important was this step for the development of bilateral relations?

The International Festival of Dance and Music in Bangkok is a well-known event with a long history. The royal couple attended the performances of the Bolshoi Theatre, which was an important diplomatic gesture that defines the nature of relations between our states. It is a sign of the high level of cultural ties. For many years, the Bangkok Music Festival has hosted artists from the capital and regional theatres of Russia. Our contacts in the arts sector are very wide. Culture creates an atmosphere of trust to discuss economic, political and other issues. In this sense, humanitarian exchanges have a very large multiplicative effect.

How widely is our Russian culture represented abroad today?

Today the main direction of museum or library exchanges is to the East. In particular, China has a very well-developed museum and theatre and concert infrastructure. Over the last 20-25 years, they have begun to invest actively in the development of culture there. I think we should expect progress in this area in India as well. At the same time, Latin America represents a specific market for cultural events. “Russian Seasons” is a huge success in Brazil, where there are many world-class theatres, especially in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and the capital. In turn, one of the Brazilian theatres came to the Chekhov Festival 2024. They showed “Three Sisters.” Russia has a lot to offer in the arts. The main items of our cultural exports are ballet, symphony orchestras, and folk art.

What do you think the BRICS countries bring to our culture today, and what do we give them in return?

We have given the world our classical culture. We are asked to open ballet schools, our foreign partners are interested in teachers who would work with children in classical ballet. In particular, there is a school of the Bolshoi Theatre in Brazil. Violinists, pianists and cellists in many countries of the world are trained by Russian masters. This is a serious component of the export of Russian culture. We have also influenced the Chinese school of fine arts. In addition, today Russian theatres are beginning to work with Chinese directors and choreographers. Next season at the Russian Theatre of Nations will be the Chinese season. It is planned to stage a number of plays by directors from China. Russia has a long tradition of contacts with Chinese art. In 1935, the genius of Peking Opera Mei Lanfang came to the USSR and met with Stanislavsky and Meyerhold. The influence of Eastern traditions on Russian theatre is great.

One can also recall Eisenstein’s trip to Mexico. His film about the revolution in that country contributed to the development of Soviet art. Thus, we have a tradition of relationship with Latin American art. The Cuban Revolution, in turn, has strongly influenced the history of Soviet art. The Russian cultural presence in Africa is also worth noting. Today, coming to Johannesburg or Pretoria, one can meet people for whom the names of Chekhov, Meyerhold, Gorky are not random sounds, but part of their theatre education.

Can we talk about cultural globalisation today?

It is an illusion that globalisation can be avoided. The development of technology, communications and economics contributes to its emergence. At the same time, it is obvious that all countries strive to preserve their civilisational code. That is why conservatism in culture today has a certain value. However, conservatism does not contradict development. It is necessary to understand what tradition is for each particular country. In South Africa, for example, there are now more than a dozen state languages and national cultures. In Latin America, efforts are being made to preserve the heritage of indigenous peoples. Pairing globalisation and tradition is always a very delicate balance.

What plans does Russia have for international cooperation in the field of museums?

Visits of people from all over the world, as well as exhibition activities, bring additional dynamics to museum life. Each new exposition is an opportunity to look at the collection, history and ourselves in a new way. It is also a very serious scientific work. There are quite a lot of plans. These include the Middle East, first of all Saudi Arabia, where there is a great interest in Russian culture. We are now cooperating quite actively with the UAE and Oman. In addition, China is interested in all manifestations of Russian art: from the classics to socialist realism. Exchange programmes are being implemented between the Moscow Kremlin Museums and the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Russian Museum and fine art galleries in China.

The personnel issue also remains important in the preservation of cultural history. What international internships are planned, how is the work in this direction going?

Most of the CIS countries and the Global South, with which we work, are interested in participating in artistic internships in Russia. A noticeable flow of international students, including those from Africa and Latin America, goes to the Moscow and St. Petersburg Conservatoires. Choreographic schools and colleges are no less in demand. For our students, exchanges with such countries as India and China are no less important. This is an opportunity to touch their highly diverse culture. Cinematography has a great potential for cooperation. In particular, India makes up to 2,500 films a year. Both India and China produce very high-tech cinema. In addition, there are a large number of festivals in these countries, which are interesting for our authors from the point of view of entering local markets.

With which of your foreign partners can you build the most promising cooperation in such areas as organising exhibitions and tours?

I head the intergovernmental commission on culture, science, education, sport and youth affairs with Mexico. I believe that this is one of those countries with which we should work very actively. If we talk about Latin America, in addition to Mexico, we are developing relations with Brazil, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba. It is also necessary to improve the very mechanisms of promotion of Russian culture and exchange with other countries. Providing for these activities falls on the shoulders of the state, as it requires certain expenditures. There are segments where business approaches need to be developed very seriously. These are cinema, publishing, creative industries and others.

In the year of Russia’s presidency in BRICS, a lot of cultural events of international scale are taking place all over the country. Will this trend continue?

During such periods, horizontal ties are built. These contacts never pass without a trace. The main thing is that they give an opportunity to strengthen these ties in the future. I am sure that relations in the field of culture will develop exponentially. Thus, Russia’s BRICS chairmanship has certainly yielded results.

Photo: TV BRICS