11 culture news headlines from 6 countries in July

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

Armenia

Armenia will participate in EU Black Sea project worth EUR 54 m. The programme aims at supporting cross-border projects in the region of Black Sea basin comprising 3 EU member states – Romania, Bulgaria and Greece – as well as 8 non-EU countries including Armenia, News.amreported. The programme is open foremost for cross-border cooperation between non-profit organization such as NGOs, educational institutions, cultural associations, organizations dealing in the field of research, nature protection, tourism and regional development. News.am

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Deputy minister praised inclusion of ancient city Ani into UNESCO World Heritage List upon Turkish request. Nerses Ter-Vardanyan, Armenia’s deputy minister of culture, welcomed inclusion of an ancient ruined city Ani into UNESCO World Heritage List, Newsarmenia.amreported. This move provides some insurance of the city preservation. The archaeological site of Ani – ruins of the medieval capital of Armenia located on the territory of modern Turkey – was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List on Turkish request, the web site underlined.Newsarmenia.am

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Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan and Italy expand cultural ties. Azerbaijan and Italy have explored ways of developing relations in cultural field as part of the visit of the country’s delegation to Italy, Azertac reports. During delegation’s visit, several meetings with prestigious cultural institutions were made with the view of discussing opportunities of co-operation between both sides.Azertac

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Azerbaijani Cultural Night held in Poland. A night of Azerbaijani Culture was held in Polish city Wrocław. An exhibition promoting Azerbaijan’s culture, history, music, as well as cuisine was organized within the event. The event also featured presentation of Azerbaijan’s national dancesAzertac

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Belarus

Lukashenko signed Culture Code into law. Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus President, signed the country’s Culture Code previously adopted by bi-cameral Parliament into law, Lidanews.by reported. Belarus became the first country on post-Soviet space that has adopted a Culture Code, the media outlet wrote. The Code was developed based on existing legal norms related to the field of culture. Its goal is to systematize legal mechanisms in different culture-related areas and to remove regulatory deficiencies. The Code will enter into force in 6 month after its official publication. Lidanews.by

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Culture ministry proposed to name airport and “Belavia” planes in honor of Belarus classics. Belarus ministry of culture asked national air carrier “Belavia” to name the country’s national airport after Francysk Skaryna – a founder of Belarusian language. Respective statement was made by Boris Svetlov, Belarus minister of culture, Marketing.by reported. Besides the airport itself, the minister proposed to name the air carrier’s planes in honor of Belarus classics. At the same time, the country’s minister of sport came out with its initiative to honor Belarus sportsmen. Marketing.byTut.by

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Georgia

Georgia and Turkey moved forward on the preservation of culture monuments located on both countries. Following his visit to Turkey, Mikheil Giorgadze, Georgia’s minister of culture, noted progress the countries reached on negotiations concerning preservation of culture monuments located on the territories of Georgia and Turkey. Both sides have agreed to set up working groups on specific issues including those pending for several years. The deal foresees involvement of Georgian and Turkish experts to the projects related to preservation of respective culture monuments located on the territory of the other country. Giorgadze also announced a visit of his Turkish counterparts to Georgia to sign an agreement on deepening of culture relations between the two countries. Apsny.ge

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Culture deputy minister shares Georgia’s experience in culture sphere development. In his interview with culturepartnership.eu, Levan Kharatishvili, Georgia’s deputy culture and monuments protection minister, praises countries participation in EU-founded Creative Europe program. He sees this as “the most important achievement of new management”. In this regard, as he says, the work on elaboration of country’s Cultural strategy has been started with the view of significantly improving culture sphere of Georgia by 2025. Kharatishvili also reveals Georgia’s plans to become “cultural center”, based on both geopolitical locations and deep country’s traditions. In order to achieve this goal, Tbilisi aims to be actively engaged into organising and hosting different culture-related events, debates, discussions, exchanges, etc. aimed at promoting not only Georgia, but also fostering co-operation between all Eastern Partnership countries, minister emphasised. culturepartnership.eu

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Moldova

Culture minister sees tourism as a good engine for culture development. This year, Moldova’s ministry of culture, together with the National Tourism Agency, focused on promotion of Moldova’s tourism destination among foreigners, Beltsymd.ru reported. The ministry considers tourism as a good engine promoting economic as well as cultural development. According to the country’s minister of culture Monica Babuc, tourism could contribute not only to culture development but also to preservation of Moldova’s cultural authenticity. Beltsymd.ru

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Ukraine

7th Odesa International Film Festival took place in Ukraine on 15-23 July. The opening film of the festival was comedy-drama “Marguerite” by Xavier Giannoli. The festival's program includes both international and Ukrainian films. Romanian drama “Illegitemate” won the best film award of the festival. Best Ukrainian film honors went to Taras Tkachenko's «The Nest of the Turtledove» about a Ukrainian woman who returns to her home after working illegally in the West and now pregnant by her lover. Speaking at a closing ceremony, the country’s minister of culture Yevhen Nyshchuk urged filmmakers worldwide not to forget Ukrainian director Oleh Sentsov, who remains in a Russian prison after being given a 20-year sentence last year. The Hollywood Reporter

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“Made In Ukraine” festival replaced “New Wave” in Yurmala. Organizers promise to come to Latvia next year with new program on presenting Ukrainian culture. A festival of Ukrainian culture came to its close in Latvian city Yurmala – a traditional host to Russian festival “New Wave” which has been moved to Russia after a number of Russian artists became a subject to European sanctions. Both Latvian citizens and numerous visitors had a chance to enjoy Ukrainian cuisine and listen to authentic Ukrainian music four days long. 24today.net

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