German-Russian Month 2017

Russian culture and its history are sources of national pride for many Russians at home and abroad, and therefore their importance in the field of Cultural Diplomacy cannot be undervalued in the scope of their contribution to the field of cultural exchange. Russia’s many contributions to the world of literature, art, dance, and music have been influential and have long provided a vital meeting point for scholars, artists and people from all walks of life to share the joy of experiencing art. There is not a single country which has not been touched by Russia’s cultural influence which continues to be a meaningful interchange for discussion and celebration between the Russian people and those of other nationalities.

Cultural Diplomacy, the building of bridges through the sharing of art and culture, has never been more vital for Russia and the Global Community. There is profound value in sharing art, music and conversation with people from other nations and this social capital results from the importance of both embracing common ground and exchanging new ideas. Instead of focusing on stereotypes or popular impressions, Cultural Diplomacy encourages us to meet each other as individuals from different cultures, and by entering into open discussion and exchange of culture, people can create and strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation.

To build stronger bridges with Russian community in Germany, the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy is organizing a German-Russian Monat 2017 in Berlin that will bring people together to share knowledge of art, music, literature and other forms of the arts. This event series will therefore be another great opportunity to get additional perspective of Russia and to strengthen cultural bridges.