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Электронное приложение к журналу «
Международная жизнь
»
Author : A. Meshkov
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Italian Republic and
the Republic of San Marino
TODAY, Italy is one of Russia's most important
partners in Europe and the whole world. Inten-
sive cooperation in virtually all areas from com-
merce to culture has been established and is
developing between our two countries. The
stances of Moscow and Rome on most issues of
international politics are similar or even coincide.
Our two countries are active participants of the
G8 and G20.
Despite the global economic crisis, ongoing recession, and financial instability in the Euro
zone, Italy continues to be one of Russia's keyTRADING and economic partners.
Ties between Russia and Italy in the domain of culture and the arts go back many centuries.
Their development was furthered by our two countries' common spiritual heritage that
derives from a single archetype - Byzantium.
Thanks to growing ties in the domain of culture, politics, and diplomacy, Moscow and
Russia begin to appear in Italian written works since the 15th century, while Italy is men-
tioned with increasing frequency in Russian works.
The luxurious and majestic palaces in the central part of St. Petersburg and the parks and
palace ensembles in the suburbs are, in large part, the work of Italian architects.
Italian musical theater played a major role in the development of Russian art. This did not
pass unnoticed in Italy.
Russian-Italian cultural ties are more than just a historical episode and a collection of mem-
ories about the grandeur of days long past. Today intensive political dialogue between
Moscow and Rome, backed up by mutually advantageousTRADE and economic relations,
stimulates the development of a broad spectrum of cultural and humanitarian contacts.
The Russian-Italian Years will officially close in Moscow in December 2011. The key event
will be the performance of the orchestra, chorus, and soloists of La Scala on the historic
stage of the Moscow Bolshoi Theater.
I am sure that the positive impact of such a remarkable event will have long-lasting effects
on the development of Russian-Italian cultural cooperation.
Russian-Italian Cultural Cooperation: History and the Present
Day