Russia’s Cultural Week kicks off in Tehran
Creative industries key to Iran-Russia cultural ties, Iran says
Iran's Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Abbas Salehi told his Russian counterpart Tuesday that creative industries could "play a major role" in boosting cultural exchanges between the two nations, as Russia's Cultural Week kicked off in Tehran.
The bilateral cultural cooperation aims to deepen understanding between Iran and Russia through cinema, arts, media and entertainment sectors, according to officials from both countries meeting on June 10, IRNA reported.
Salehi met with Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova to discuss expanding cultural partnerships.
The Iranian minister emphasized that creative industries spanning film, arts, media and entertainment "can contribute to strengthening economic relations between the two countries" as well.
"We have very diverse opportunities for cultural and artistic communications between the two countries, only a small part of which has been activated so far," Salehi said during talks with Lyubimova, who arrived in Tehran Tuesday morning for Russia's cultural week.
The Iranian minister stressed that media cooperation should be pursued "more seriously and deeply," noting that a joint media committee between Iran and Russia has been established with its latest meeting recently held in Russia.
Salehi argued that expanded media partnerships could help counter what he described as Western media efforts to present "distorted images" of both Iran and Russia to global public opinion. The cooperation "can help correct this image and present the cultural, historical and social realities of the two countries," he said.
More than 110 prominent Russian artists across music, film and visual arts will participate in the cultural week alongside an official delegation and cultural committee totaling around 130 people.
The program includes performances by Russia's Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra in Tehran and Isfahan, shows by the Lezginka artistic group, and Russian film screenings in Tehran and Isfahan.
The cultural exchange takes place under the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed between Iran and Russia in January 2025, which emphasized expanding cultural and artistic relations.