The head of the Ministry of Culture of the Zaporozhye region said that salaries in the region are higher than all-Russian

Zaporozhye region, the northern part of which is held by Ukraine, remains one of the most frequently shelled. At the same time, purely civilian objects, including cultural institutions, fall under enemy fire in the new Russian region. About how you have to survive in such conditions, “MK” told the acting. Minister of Culture of the region Yuri Kovanov.

— Yury Vladimirovich, are there areas relatively remote from the contact line where museums, theaters, recreation centers, concert halls are open? Under what conditions does the sphere of culture exist?

— Most of the institutions are working, despite the complicated situation. For example, in the city of Tokmak, the school year for children from the art school is successfully ending, students and teachers of the school have become prize-winners and winners of all-Russian and even international competitions, participating in them remotely.

And in the villages of Veseloe and Gusarka, a new life began in local history museums: the museums opened their doors again to support the local population, save jobs, preserve and increase the cultural heritage. At the same time, it does not do without damage, because the Armed Forces of Ukraine are hitting in a direction, trying to destroy cultural objects. Mirnensky and Vasilyevsky Palace of Culture and other institutions require repair, not only because of the lack of attention to the state of cultural objects under the Ukrainian authorities, but also because the enemy tried to destroy them.

– I ask you to draw a picture of the major cities – Berdyansk, Melitopol.

– In 2023, it is planned to additionally equip the Melitopol local history and Berdyansk art museums. They will receive modern exposition and multimedia equipment, which will allow them to meet modern standards. Virtual concert halls and cinema halls, model libraries will open. Music schools will continue to receive musical instruments.

– In 2022, in the new regions of the Russian Federation, visitors to museums and theaters were not charged an entrance fee. And in 2023?

– Entrance to cultural institutions remains free, in addition, we try to organize concerts, various interactive events for the population for free admission. We are now under martial law. Events like this support people and they should be free.

– Is it possible to say that our people in the Zaporozhye land are not left alone with the fighting? In general, what are the moods of the Cossacks?

“People are not abandoned. It is a fact. We all work according to the standard schedule. Particular attention is paid to families displaced from front-line settlements to safe places. Our employees work for them: they organize various events, master classes, take classes, play, read and try to organize the most vivid leisure. There are many difficulties: there is a shortage of personnel, and the difficulties of the transition period, including with the translation of documentation to Russian standards.

But, as the experience of our colleagues in Crimea shows, all this can be overcome.

— Does the film distribution work in the region?

— There are private cinema halls in the region. Of course, their number is not enough for the region. The opening of virtual cinemas, as well as cinemas, is planned for 2023 and 2024.

– Is the salary of workers in the sphere of culture of the ZO already at the level of the Russian one?

– Yes. There are no delays in salaries in cultural institutions, the level of payments not only corresponds to Russian ones, but is also higher due to “military” allowances.

— What difficulties did your department inherit from Ukraine?

“We are faced with a lack of repairs, equipment and even heating. But this is half the trouble. Leaving, the previous government destroyed archives, funds, expositions were stolen somewhere. For a while, people worked with caution. But Russia was expected here.