Delegates from almost 70 countries attended the forum in St. Petersburg.

On September 12, St. Petersburg discussed the preservation of traditions and the role of culture in bringing nations closer together. The XI International Forum of United Cultures was held in the city, attended by hundreds of participants from almost 70 countries. The focus was on cooperation. During the meeting with the guests of the forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin drew attention to the fact that the Russian side is as open as possible to any format.

This forum has set another record: 2.5 thousand delegates from 67 countries gathered in St. Petersburg - and this is during the so—called "cancellation era".

"It's time to take stock. Here, in Tsarskoye Selo. The place is, of course, symbolic. Pushkin, Delvig, and Saltykov-Shchedrin studied here. This is where the golden age of our culture came from," said Igor Baldin, a correspondent for Izvestia.

The interior of the Catherine Palace, in particular the gilded candelabra and cupids, sets a special tone for the forum. Politicians, scientists, and artists from all over the world are here. Oman's Minister of Tourism is preparing to sign an agreement to open a branch of the Hermitage Museum in Muscat.

"The Omani exhibition was held in Russia, and the Russian one in Oman. And this is just the beginning, we are strengthening cultural ties," said Oman's Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Salim Mohamed Al Mahrougi.

At the same time, South Africa and Venezuela are already inviting Russian theaters to tour. Venezuelan Minister of Culture Ernesto Villegas stressed that the initiative of the Russian Federation to hold such a forum is extremely important, since it is in this format that one can be in an equal dialogue with the whole world.

"From cinema to music, we cooperate with Russia in various fields. And we have a lot of plans ahead," South Africa's Minister of Culture and Sports, Guyon Mackenzie, said.

Right now, Russia is forming bridges with dozens of countries, demonstrating what a true multipolar world can be like. The Hermitage, the Catherine, the Mariinsky — St. Petersburg has become the center of not just Russian, but world culture these days. The forum was attended by artists, writers and actors, including from 20 unfriendly countries.

Filmmakers from Italy, public figures from France, and even Charles de Gaulle's grandson are a sure sign that many in Europe are annoyed by Brussels' anti—Russian rhetoric.

"We had our colleagues from Italy, France, Germany, Austria. Our colleagues from Brazil, China, and South Africa performed brilliantly," said Olga Lyubimova, head of the Russian Ministry of Culture.

The Hermitage and the Tretyakov Gallery are holding exhibitions in the Arabian Peninsula, South Korea is signing a contract with Russian museums, and a joint film by the National Media Group Red Silk is being shown in Beijing.

"The challenge that was presented to the Russian Federation with an attempt to abolish Russian culture was not well received by the entire community, which was accustomed to come to Russia. And what we are doing on the BRICS track, what we are doing on the CIS track, and what we will do on the SCO track is all very important," said Tatyana Golikova, Deputy Chairman of the Russian government.

And while the broken record about the abolition of all Russian continues to sound in Brussels, the Russian Federation is becoming the center of a multicultural world. New international exhibitions, exchanges, theater tours — dozens of agreements were signed at the forum. Russia is ready to work with everyone, except those who voluntarily exclude themselves from the cultural field by their own restrictions.

History and art: Putin called for freeing the world from attempts to "abolish" culture

At a forum in St. Petersburg, the president spoke about Intervision and discussed quotas for foreign film rentals with Lyubimova.

During his speech at the forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted the attention of the Russian authorities to regional cultural centers, which promotes the development of talents in small towns of the state. He also spoke out against the devaluation of the values of freedom and human rights, the loss of national characteristics and called the multinational nature of Russia an invaluable gift. According to him, culture is extremely important in countering Russophobia and neo-Nazism.

In addition, Putin recalled the holding of the international music competition "Intervision" in Russia. He expressed confidence that the competition would preserve the atmosphere of "creativity and friendship" and would also confirm that authentic art has no borders.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.