Russia-Italy Cross Year to develop regions' direct contacts.

ROME, May 17 (Itar-Tass) -- The Russia-Italy Cross Year of cultures
and languages due in 2011 will develop direct contacts between regions of
the two countries.
Russia's Minister of Culture Alexander Avdeyev and his Italian
counterpart Sandro Bondi signed a memorandum on the events in the
framework of the Cross Year.
"The purpose of this important initiative is to continue the
five-century history of relations between Italy and Russia and attract a
wide audience to the events of this Year," Avdeyev said on Sunday. "The
Year will also develop contacts between Russian and Italian regions."
Russia's cultural programme in Italy will represent all Russia's
regions. The events of the Year will be covered by media, and especially
by the Internet.
The Cross Year "will feature young Russian writers, artists and
actors," Avdeev said. The two ministries of culture have discussed
exchange programmes, where talented youth will study the history and arts
of the two countries.
"We shall host young Italian writers at the Yasnaya Polyana, where Leo
Tolstoi wrote his masterpieces," Avdeyev said.
The works of young cinematographers and people of theatre, music and
visual arts will become outstanding events of the cultural programme,
Russian President's special envoy for international cultural exchange
Mikhail Shvydkoi said.
"Stendal used to say that love starts with a surprise," he said.
"Russia and Italy have been in love for quite a time already, so our task
is not so easy."
Russian organizers plan to 'surprise' Italy with things, still not
known in Italy very well. The Year of Russia in Italy will be opened with
an exhibition of a Soviet artist, printmaker and sculptor of the 1920-30s,
Alexander Deineka. The Year's programme includes Yuri Lyubimov's last
theatre performance Honey based on a poem by Tonio Guerra, who celebrates
his 90th birthday this year. Guerro worked with Federico Fellini and
Michelangelo Antonioni.
Italians will bring big exhibitions of Caravaggio, Botticelli, Giotto,
as well as retrospective shows, classical and modern music concerts.
Italy's famous La Scala will come on a tour. Book presentations are also
on the agenda.
The two countries plan to organize dialogue between Italian and
Russian citizens with the leaders of the two countries.
Russia's Ministry of Culture has used the experience of the successful
Russia-France Cross Year. He was happy to acknowledge that Russia had
hosted years of great cultures: French, Italian, and Spanish. The
Russia-Italy Cross Year will coincide with the Year of Spain in 2011.
There is no conflict here, Avdeyev said, as the Year of Spain will be
devoted mostly to economic, scientific and technical cooperation, whereas
with Italy "the main trend of the programme is the culture."
The final agenda of the cross year will be ready by the end of May,
when Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov is expected to come
to Italy. Zhukov chairs the organizational committee from the Russian side.

-0-kar


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