12 culture news headlines from 6 countries in February

The latest arts and culture news from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

Armenia

Culture minister: Culture must be a product for sale. Armen Amiryan, Armenia’s culture minister, stressed that Armenian rich cultural heritage and contemporary art should certainly have state support. However, they must also “sell themselves,” be a product for sale. In this regard, Amiryan noted that the opening of new museums will be aimed to support the development of tourism. He also pointed out that Armenia’s film industry should become profitable. a1plus.am

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Armenia’s PM: Cultural institutions should have development strategy. Karen Karapetyan, the prime minister of Armenia, noted that cultural institutions should have a program on capitalization, quality changes and introduction of management culture. He also stressed the importance of holding events aimed at promoting the global culture in Armenia. News.am

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Azerbaijan

President Aliyev: Government have always paid great attention to cultural legacy. Ilham Aliyev stressed that cultural heritage is the source of Azerbaijani strength, national history, past and culture. “We are proud that our prominent representatives of culture and art have found their places at the global scale. This shows the talent of our people and our great and worthy contributions to the world’s cultural heritage,” he emphasized. Azertag

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4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue to be held in Baku in May. It is a unique place that has taken responsibility for delivering the global agenda on the dialogue among Western and Eastern civilisationsAzernews.az writes. The Forum will take place under patronage of Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijani President, in cooperation with UNESCO, UN Alliance of Civilizations, UN World Tourism Organization, Council of Europe, ISESCO and North-South Center of the Council of Europe. Azernews.az

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Belarus 

Belarusian cultural managers and entrepreneurs will be able to fully appreciate the famous book by international expert David Parrish T-Shirts and Suits: A Guide to the Business of Creativity—the EU-EaP Culture and Creativity Programme will support the translation of the book into Belarusian.

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Project curator in contemporary dance described problems in this field in Belarus. Svetlana Ulanovskaya noted that many works by young Belarusian choreographers “are characterised by infantilism and banality of concept, reduced to melodramatic collisions and indistinct reflections on the “self.” In her opinion, good technical form is demonstrated by virtually everyone, whereas concept, meaningfulness and personal expression are noticeably lacking. EU-EaP Culture and Creativity Programme 

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Contemporary art makes reduction of discrimination level possible, culture expert says. Anna Lok, director of the cultural and educational institution Dotyk in Minsk, stressed that the discussion helps to give art a voice. “It helps to involve the viewer if he or she wishes to do so, of course. But even if a person is initially sceptical, the desire to discuss may arise in the communication process,” Lok emphasized. EU-EaP Culture and Creativity Programme 

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Georgia

Diplomats to help develop art and culture in Georgia. Diplomats’ House for Culture-Georgia (DHCG) initiative has been launched in Tbilisi. It will seek to provide a “sustainable framework” for the diplomatic corps to engage in the organisation of cultural events and the facilitating artistic connections. DHCG will also work to promote emerging artistic talent in Georgia and help develop their collaboration with international artists and cultural venues. Agenda.ge 

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Five Georgian films feature at Berlinale festival. For the first time in historyGeorgia is represented by more than one film project at this prestigious international event. In addition, Georgia is one of the five countries chosen to participate in a special country session where the participant countries will share their expertise and achievements in the field of filmmaking. Georgian Journal 

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Moldova 

Spain now recognises Moldovan higher education certificates faster. A deal on mutual recognition of diplomas has been ratified by the Moldova’s parliamentary Commission for foreign policy and European integration. Cristina Boaghi, deputy education minister, stressed that bilateral agreements of this kind allow to facilitate and speed up the cooperation between education ministries in both countries. Therefore, they are vital despite Moldova’s participation in Lisbon Recognition Convention. Infotag.md

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Ukraine

Ukraine State Film Agency presented catalogue of films at 67th Berlinale. This catalogue written in English contains information on the participants of the modern Ukrainian cinema process. According to Philip Illienko, the Head of the Ukrainian State Film Agency, contemporary Ukrainian filmmakers worthily continue the tradition of Ukrainian cinema classics and they make their movie language recognizable to the world of film community. He also invited filmmakers from all over the world to the partnership and cooperation. Ministry of Culture of Ukraine

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UNESCO was asked to include Trypillian culture in the World Heritage List. Oleksiy Kaspruk, the mayor of Chernivtsi, has backed this idea and promised to fully support its implementation.  He stressed this at the meeting with Eleanora Moldovan, Consul General of Romania in Chernivtsi, Kostiantyn-Emil Ursu, Director General of the Bukovyna Museum in Suchava, and experts in culture sphere. Ukrinform

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