Стр. 31 - V

http://interaffairs.ru
Author : A. Klimov
Coordinator of Eurasian Dialogue, Deputy Chairman, Committee for International Relations, Federation Coun-
cil of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
A YEAR AGO, on May 5, 2016, the world mass
media announced a one-of-its-kind concert by the
Mariinsky Theater orchestra, conducted by Valery
Gergiev, in the Syrian town of Palmira. Unfortu-
nately, this ancient jewel of the East had become the
hostage of the pseudo-Islamic "state" (ISIS, banned
in the Russian Federation). So a miraculous appear-
ance of the Russian performers in the heat of an
atrocious war became a symbol of the inevitable vic-
tory of Good over Evil. This concert, given by outstanding envoys of the Russian culture at the
world-renown UNESCO landmark, not only gave the people of Syria hope for a peaceful future
- it also demonstrated to the world community our country's high humanistic mission and a cre-
ative nature of Russian foreign policy.
In over two decades that I have been directly involved in what is called parliamentary diplomacy,
the formula "We disagree with Russia's policy at home and abroad yet we admit that Russian art
and culture are a valuable contribution to European culture and the culture of all peoples" that
came even from the most stubborn opponents of Moscow has become very familiar. Neverthe-
less, some fanatical fighters with the "hand of the Kremlin" are continuously trying to undermine
all attempts to widen the dialogue of cultures between Russia and the EU countries.
It is commonly believed that foreign tours of famous Russian artists, the impressive number of
guest performances and exhibitions of all sorts are "our best propagandists and agitators." This
is true: thousands applaud our outstanding artists on all continents and thousands sincerely ad-
mire the best achievements of Russian culture.
The Foreign Policy Concept recommends "to involve civil society institutions in addressing in-
ternational challenges in order to enhance the effectiveness of the Russian foreign policy"; "to
develop, including through public diplomacy, international cultural and humanitarian cooperation
as a means to build up dialogue among civilizations, achieve consensus and ensure understanding
among peoples." Public diplomacy should include "greater participation of Russia's academics
and experts in the dialogue with foreign specialists on global politics and international security
as one of the areas of public diplomacy development."5
Cultural leadership cannot survive on what it inherited from the past and on efforts of individ-
uals, no matter how great. Cultural leadership is not an aim in itself; it can and should offer so-
lutions of many problems that the Russian state is facing today.
Foreign Policy Aspects of Cultural Leadership