14 Culture News Headlines from 6 countries in January
Armenia
Ambassador announced visit of Indian culture minister to Armenia in 2016. News.am quotes Indian ambassador to Armenia, announcing that India’s minister of culture and tourism may visit Armenia in 2016 to sign a number of bilateral agreements. The documents foremost relates to education exchange programmes and bilateral recognition of diplomas and degrees. News.am
Warsaw hosted event “Meeting with Armenia.” Armenia’s embassy to Poland conducted an event entitled “Meeting with Armenia” to present the current situation in Armenia and Karabakh. Speaking at the event, Armenia’s ambassador to Poland elaborated about Armenian genocide. He also told about formation of Armenian diaspora abroad focusing in detail on community of his compatriots in Poland. Hayastannews.com
Prominent British cultural actor shared his experience of working in creative sector. In late January, Yerevan witnessed a lecture of John Tusa, a British arts administrator, radio and television journalist, and former managing director of the BBC World Service, which was held within the EU-Eastern Partnership Culture and Creativity Programme, Aravot.am writes. During the lecture, he presented his book “Pain in the Arts”, as well as explained why there is a need to encourage the development of culture and creativity sectors in Armenia and how media can contribute to unlocking full potential of cultural and creative sectors. Aravot.am
Azerbaijan
Ministry of culture and tourism marks its tenth anniversary. On 30 January Azerbaijan’s ministry of culture and tourism celebrated tenth anniversary of its existence. On the occasion of the date, the country’s authority underlined importance of the ministry, noting the development of culture in different sectors: theaters, cinemas, museums, libraries, festivals, exhibitions etc. 1news.az
Azerbaijan strengthens ties with several countries in the field of culture and tourism. Abulfaz Garayev, Azerbaijan’s minister of culture and tourism, met ambassadors representing Belarus, Israel, Hungary and Indonesia to discuss strengthened cooperation with the respective states in the field of culture and tourism. Interfax.az reported. Interfax.az
Belarus
Government approved action plan of culture year in Belarus. The Council of ministers has approved its Year of Culture events calendar for 2016. The plan features various contests, festivals, forums and other events. The document also provides for modernization/renovation of cultural objects, preservation of historical and cultural heritage. Besides, the 2016 events calendar features the national theater, literary and music awards. Festivals, contests, exhibitions, forums are aimed at developing and popularizing musical, choreographic, fine arts, theater and cinema. This, among other things, involves holding days of culture and cinema abroad and return events in Belarus. Belapan.by
Georgia
Georgia launched programme encouraging film production. Tbilisi started “Filming in Georgia” programme offering benefits to local and international film producers, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Georgia’s Prime Minister, said presenting a component of this programme “Producing in Georgia.” The initiative introduces a compensation mechanism returning 25% of the qualifying costs back to the filmmakers. The compensations will be applied in the following areas: feature film, TV film, TV series or mini-series, animation, documentary, promotional video production, reality show and music clips. Apsny.ge, Georgia.today
Prominent British cultural actor shared his views on culture and creative industries. Addressing Georgian media representatives and prominent members of society during the seminar within the EU-Eastern Partnership Culture and Creativity Programme, John Tusa, a British arts administrator, radio and television journalist, and former managing director of the BBC World Service, shared his views on issues related to culture and creative industries, GeorgiaToday reports. According to him, the creative industry has big potential to grow up to 10% of the world’s GDP per year. Speaking about culture itself, Tusa stressed that culture is the spirit, heart and mind of nation. “It is an essential part of a nation’s sense of itself”, he emphasised, adding, moreover, that culture is “a must-have”, even during war times. Tusa also spoke about ways and tools to fund the arts and the specifics of development of creative industries, GeorgiaToday says. GeorgiaToday
Moldova
National Culture Day marked in Chisinau. On 15 January Moldova celebrated 166th anniversary of its great poet Mihai Eminescu and the National Culture Day. The programme of the Day included official ceremonies involved all representatives of the state authorities. The National Culture Day was set up in 2012. Newsmaker.md
Government will finance 66 cultural projects in 2016. 66 cultural projects and 47 organizations have won state funding for 2016 in a competition run by Moldova’s ministry of culture. The projects include all culture spheres with the total budget of the state support equals 2 million MDL. RTR Moldova
Ukraine
Rada set up Ukrainian Book Institute. Ukrainian lawmakers have passed a bill establishing Ukrainian Book Institute, Hromadske.tv reported. The body would form state policy in the sphere of culture and arts. Its major goals are to support publishing, encourage reading, stimulate translation and promote Ukrainian literature abroad, the bill wrote. A director of the Institute would be appointed for the tenure of 5 years through an open competition. Hromadske.tv
Heads of Ukrainian cultural organizations would be appointed on competitive basis for 5 years. Ukrainian Parliament adopted a bill demanding heads of all cultural organizations – i.e. theaters, clubs, museums etc., to be appointed for 5 years through a competition only. Respective 5 year-long contracts would be sign with those who successfully pass a competition. Podrobnosti
Rada preliminary passed bill on national cinema development. Verkhovna Rada has preliminary passed a law on national cinema development. The legislation, among others, aimed at increasing three times the share of Ukrainian films and serials on the air of national TV channels. The bill introduces mechanisms of direct state support to the film industry, provides for partial return of expenses related to films production, stimulates cinema network development and combats piracy. Aif.ua
Artists urged state to halt broadcasting of Russian audio-visual products. Uriadovyi Kurier, the government’s official newspaper, published an open address of Ukrainian artists to the state calling for a ban of Russian audio-visual products’ broadcasting. The enemy easily penetrates into hearts and souls of Ukrainian people via numerous Russian songs, clips and movies aired by national media. This all takes place at the same time when Ukrainian solders are losing their lives protecting boundaries from the aggressor, the address said. Besides the address, initiators have registered a similar petition to Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko on his official web site. The petition has already collected 10% of the necessary signatures to be considered by the President. Uriadovyi Kurier
