Programme of cross-cultural Year of Britain, Russia approved

Russia and Great Britain will hold a series of cross-cultural projects in 2014, some of which are quite unique. Several hundred events will be organised as part of the cross-cultural year, the programme of which was approved in London this week by the organising committee co-chaired by Lord Speaker of the House of Lords Frances D’Souza and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets. “More than 250 events in the field of culture, science, education and sports, which will be held in Russia and Great Britain, will undoubtedly attract the attention of a great number of people, including young people, will promote better understanding between our people, and lie a solid foundation for long-term cooperation in the future in various spheres,” Golodets said. According to the official website of the British Council, the cross-cultural year will start in Russia in April. In spring, the Manezh Central Exhibition Hall will host an exhibition titled “The Golden Age of Russian Avant-Garde.” British Film Director Peter Greenaway is the project curator. In addition, the Moscow Multimedia Art Museum will organise the exhibition “Design 007: 50 years of the James Bond Style” and the Cultural Foundation Yekaterina will present a retrospective show titled “Young British Artists.” Celebrations marking the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare will be held as part of the Anton Chekhov International Theatre Festival. Works of Russian artist Kazimir Malevich will be displayed in Great Britain in a joint project of the State Tretyakov Gallery and Tate Modern. The Stanislavsky Moscow Academic Music Theatre’s company will perform in Britain. The last event in the cross-cultural year is an exhibition focusing on the Soviet space programme, to be set up at London’s Science Museum. It will feature rare artefacts that have never been exhibited abroad before. The purpose of the cross-cultural year is to present the rich cultural heritage of the two countries and promote mutual understanding between their people.