CIS mulls annual expo of art achievements

The meeting will consider the draft provision on the CIS international exhibition ART EXPO, which has been developed by Armenia following the request of the CIS Council for Cultural Cooperation. "The expo will represent a so-called review of the CIS advances in culture and art. ART EXPO will present significant cultural events in cinematography, theater, music, fine arts, printed and electronic products as well as projects and events implemented by the states over the previous year," the press service said.

It is expected that the forum will promote establishment of creative ties and conclusion of interstate agreements on cultural cooperation. The main goal of ART EXPO will be preservation and development of national cultures, promotion of cultural diversity and strengthening of the intercultural dialogue, expansion of the market of cultural products and implementation of youth innovation projects in the area. The expo will be an annual event that is to be held in every CIS state in the order of the Russian alphabet.

The agenda of the meeting will comprise nearly 10 issues. The members of the council will discuss the state cultural policy in Belarus, the status and prospects of cultural cooperation in the Commonwealth, draft provisions on giving the status of the basic organization to the CIS cultural and art establishments.

In particular, there are plans to give the status of the basic organization in cultural heritage to Armenia's Mesrob Mashtots R&D Institute of Early Manuscripts Matenadaran and the status of the basic organization in museum affairs to the National History and Culture Museum Reserve Nesvizh (Belarus). The Gnesinykh Russian Academy of Music can become a basic organization in music and education, while the Gerasimov All-Russian State University of Cinematography in cinema and Tajikistan's Aini State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater - in theater.

Besides, the members of the Council for Cultural Cooperation intend to discuss the status and prospects for holding the CIS Open Youth Delphic Games, consider the issues related to the implementation of the interstate program Commonwealth Capitals of Culture and the strategy of the international youth cooperation, preparations for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great patriotic War, and other issues, BelTA reports.

The CIS Council for Cultural Cooperation was founded in 1995. The council's major objectives are aimed at further cooperation in the humanitarian and cultural area, formation of the common humanitarian space, strengthening of spiritual and moral values of the society, the search for new forms and mechanisms of cooperation, including joint forums, conferences, theater, music and cinema festivals, drafting multilateral international agreements and programs. Among the members of the Council are the Culture Ministers of all eleven CIS participating states.