10 TOP Culture news from 6 countries in March
Armenia
Three leading Armenian museums opened joined exhibition in Moscow. On 10 March, Vladimir Medinskiy, Russia’s minister of culture, together with his Armenian counterpart Hasmik Pogosyan opened exhibition “Armenia: the Legend of Being” presenting over 160 exponents from the Museum of Armenia’s History, the Museum of the Holy See of Echmiadzin and the Mesrop Mashtots Matendaran (museum of ancient manuscripts). Both ministers underlined the importance of culture cooperation between the countries. The next day Serzh Sargsyan, Armenia’s President, visited the exhibition in the framework of his working visit to Russia. Sputnik Armenia
Armenia’s Parliament voted down bill obliging TV channels to air movies in state language only. Lawmakers refused to adopt a bill demanding all Armenian TV channels to air documentaries and feature films exclusively in Armenian language. Opponents of the bill stressed that the current legislation already provides 55% quota for Armenian language on air of all TV and Radio broadcasters. Besides, public and cultural TV channels air all films in Armenian language. Sputnik Armenia
Armenian exhibition is opened in Greece. Hasmik Pogosyan, Armenia’s minister of culture, and her Greek counterpart Aristides Baltas opened exhibition entitled “Armenia: Spirit of Ararat” at Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens. The exhibition is held under the patronage of the presidents of the two countries in the framework of Armenia-Greece culture cooperation. Serzh Sargsyan, Armenia’s President, attended the exhibition during his visit to Greece on 14-15 March. News Armenia
Azerbaijan
Culture ministry will finance education of Azeri’s youth abroad. For the first time Azerbaijan’s ministry of culture and tourism starts a project financing education of Azeri’s youth abroad. The project relates to students studying theater arts. In general, 20 Azeri’s students selected by the Boris Shchukin Theater Institute (Russia) will participate in the project starting from 2016-2017 academic year. ABC.az
Azerbaijan prepares to host UNAOC 7th Global Forum. In late April, Baku will host the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations comprising around 2,5 thousand delegates across the globe. Among the Forum’s organisers are UNESCO, the World Tourism Organization, ISESCO (Islamic, Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the Council of Europe. Speaking on the Forum’s preparation, Abulfaz Garayev, Azerbaijan’s minister of culture and tourism, noted that the decision to choose Baku as the host underlines Azerbaijan’s ability to serve as bridge between different cultures promoting understanding among various cultural traditions. 1News.az
Belarus
Paris will host Belarus Culture Days. Days of Belarus culture take place in Paris. As part of the Culture Days Belarusian theater season has been launched for the first time in France. Besides Belarus embassy to France and the Belarus culture center, a famous French fashion-designer Pierre Cardin is among initiators of the Belarus Culture Days. Pravda Gomel
Georgia
Major European book fair promotes new Georgian literature. New Georgian literature is represented at the 2016 Leipzig Book Fair. This is the fifth time Georgia participates at the Book Fair. This year Georgia present works by 10 contemporary authors. Georgia's appearance at the fair in recent years was supported by the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia and the Georgian Publishers and Booksellers Association. The 2016 Leipzig Book Fair will run from 17-20 March. Agenda.ge
Moldova
Soroca fortress became touristic symbol of Moldova in 2016. Moldova’s Tourism Promotion Federation (MTPF) named Soroca fortress at the country’s touristic symbol in 2016 based on online voting. The MTPF launched project “I am a tourist in my country” aimed at promoting domestic tourism in Moldova. The fortress topped the list of ten the most attractive tourist destination in Moldova. Soroka fortress, constructed in the 15th century, was recently renovated within the EU-funded trans-border project covering medieval fortress in Romania, Moldova and Ukraine. NewsMaker
Ukraine
Authorities banned above 430 Russian movies. In his interview to Uryadovyi Kurier Pylyp Illienko, Head of Ukraine’s State Film Agency, noted that Ukrainian authorities have banned above 430 Russian movies. He noted that legislation prohibiting screening of certain Russian movies requires additional amendments to eliminate inaccurate or even contradictory norms. Ukrainski Novyny
Tbilisi will host Ukrainian Film Days. On 16-20 March, Tbilisi will host Ukrainian Film Days. There will be also a roundtable on cooperation between Ukrainian and Georgian film industries, possible joint production and Georgian experience in the framework of Creative Europe programme. Ukrinform
