Serbia should not abandon Russian culture — EADaily, February 11, 2023 — Politics News, Russia News

Serbia must not abandon Russian cultural heritage in theater, music and literature. This was announced on Friday by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on the Prva TV channel.

“We must know that most of our investments come from the West, that we are on the European path and it is very stupid when some say that we should stop this because they do not understand what life is. Just like those who say: cut off all ties with Russia, let’s get Chekhov and Dostoyevsky out of theaters, let’s not teach Pushkin at school to children so that there would be no Tchaikovsky in the opera. People, this cannot be Serbia, because we must take care of the soul of our people, we must take into account what are our financial interests, our economic interests,” the head of state stressed.

Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoi During a press conference held on January 17 at the Russian Embassy in Belgrade, he stated that Russia and Serbia were discussing holding a cross year of culture in 2024.

According to the presidential envoy, a Russian pianist will visit Serbia this year with concerts Denis Matsuevand conductor Valery Gergiev. In addition, a forum of rectors of Russian and Serbian universities, participation of representatives of Serbian cultural figures in Russian festivals and forums, and cooperation in film production are expected.

Separately, Shvydkoy singled out the forthcoming festival “Days of the Hermitage in Serbia”, expressing the hope that the country will be able to create a branch of the St. Petersburg Museum, negotiations on which are currently underway between the Russian and Serbian sides.