A meeting of the Ministries of Culture of Belarus and Russia was held at the National Library

Opening the meeting, Ruslan Chernetsky recalled that the foundation for current cooperation had been laid a year earlier. "At a joint board meeting in Moscow in 2024, a cooperation plan between our ministries for 2025 was signed, which served as a roadmap for our interaction," the head of the Belarusian ministry noted. "It included 75 events, all of which have been implemented. The project was fully implemented, and the actual cooperation proved much more productive and went beyond the document." The minister emphasized that projects implemented within the Union State occupy a key place on the joint agenda.

Ruslan Chernetsky also cited impressive figures demonstrating the high level of integration and mutual interest between the regions of the two countries. He noted that in 2025, representatives from 27 Russian regions participated in the national holiday "Kupalye" ("Alexandria Gathers Friends"), while delegations from 16 regions attended the international arts festival "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk." These events, according to both sides, not only strengthen cultural ties but also serve as platforms for lively interaction between artists and audiences.

In turn, Russian Deputy Minister of Culture Andrei Malyshev discussed the practical aspects of cooperation in detail. He reported that a unified touring and concert plan, covering theaters in both countries, has been successfully in place for three years. "Support from the Russian Federation is provided under the same conditions, whether it's for drama theaters, puppet theaters, youth theaters, opera and ballet theaters, or Belarusian companies," Malyshev stated. Particular attention was paid to the development of cinema: a joint film production agreement is in effect, and Days of Russian Cinema have already been brought to Minsk. "Despite the completely unfair sanctions imposed by Western powers, Russian cinema has not only survived, but our cinemas are full," the Deputy Minister stated.

Andrei Malyshev expressed his sincere gratitude to his Belarusian colleagues for their fruitful collaboration. Particular thanks were extended to the creators of the "Every Third" project, dedicated to Victory in the Great Patriotic War. "It was shown at the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, and there are now plans to organize screenings in five Russian cities, including Kazan. We hope that, as in previous years, all Belarusian initiatives in 2026 will receive the full support of the Russian Ministry of Culture," Malyshev emphasized.

The international agenda was also touched upon during the meeting. Commenting on attempts to abolish Russian culture, the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation took a principled stance, declaring that it is impossible to abolish Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich. "World classics are two hands, and Russian classical music is one of them. If some forces deprive themselves of this hand, that is their right. And in Russia, culture is flourishing in all directions: cultural centers, libraries, and concert halls are being built from Vladivostok to Kaliningrad. Belarus and Russia are united, including in the cultural arena. We are completely united, and we are confident that, hand in hand, we are moving toward a bright future," stated Andrei Malyshev.

Following the meeting, a Cooperation Plan was signed between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation for 2026.