Year 2011: Italy-Russia

The year 2011 is a special for relations between Russia and Italy. Having been declared the Year of Russian culture and Russian language in Italy and the Year of Italian culture and language in Russia, it is destined to become strong evidence of the unbreakable ties between Moscow and Rome.

A decision to hold the Year of Russia in Italy was taken on November 6, 2008, during Russian-Italian interstate consultations on the top level. In pursuance of agreements, reached by the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Italy Silvio Berlusconi, on December 3, 2009, a Protocol between the Ministries of Culture of both countries on holding the Year of Russian culture and Russian language in Italy and the Year of Italian culture and Italian language in Russia in 2011 was signed.

The list of Russian members of the Organizing Committee for the cross-cultural year was approved by the Presidential Order of November 11, 2009. On the Russian side the Committee is chaired by Alexander Zhukov, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, on the Italian one — by Gianni Letta, Italian Secretary to the Council of Ministers. The Organizing Committee also included Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Presidential Representative for International Cultural Cooperation, and representatives of the Russian Government and the Moscow City Government, federal ministries and agencies, directors of the largest cultural and art institutions, heads of the leading media outlets.

The programme of the Italy-Russia Year 2011 includes holding of the largest exhibitions, concerts, conferences, theatre festivals which are being organized by coordinators appointed by the Governments of both countries. These are Giuliano Urbani, former Italian Minister of Culture, professor, and Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Presidential Representative for International Cultural Cooperation. The first Year of Russia in Italy event was the opening of a major exhibition of works by artist Alexander Deineka, one of the leading representatives of socialist realism. At the end of the year the Bolshoi Theatre will host a performance by the La Scala Ballet which will be the first foreign company after completion of its capital renovation.

Russia’s President and the Italian Prime Minister launched the year of cross-cultural exchange on February 16. The Year of Russian culture and Russian language in Italy and the Year of Italian culture and Italian language in Russia would contribute to development of business and cultural ties of the two countries, the President of the RF Dmitry Medvedev mentioned. The Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi estimated relations with Russia as «strategic partnership» based on mutual economic interests, political understanding and strengthened by the friendship between the leaders of both countries.

Useful links:

Programme of the events of the Italy-Russia Cross-Cultural Year 
Look at the events guide and buy a ticket