The Minister of Culture of the DPR spoke about the expectation of victory in 2024

For the first time, a delegation from the DPR, headed by the Minister of Culture of the Republic, Mikhail Zheltyakov, took part in the work of the IX International Cultural Forum, which recently concluded in St. Petersburg. After returning to Donetsk, Mikhail Vasilyevich agreed to answer questions from the MK correspondent, sharing his impressions of the trip and plans for 2024. At the same time, the minister named the main event that Donetsk is waiting for next year.

– Mikhail Vasilyevich, was enough attention paid to issues of Donetsk culture at the Forum? Were your expectations met in this regard?

– This was my first time at a cultural forum in St. Petersburg – I had registered many times before, but this was the first time I managed to get there. My hopes were justified: the questions voiced by the Minister of Culture of Russia, the speakers who spoke at the round tables in the areas, the fact that the president of the country voiced this at the end was exactly what we expected. Much attention was paid to the “new territories”; today they have become part of great Russia, and we need to understand how to rebuild, how to live in new realities. This is important because legislation and requirements for cultural institutions are changing.

– Did you hear those words of Vladimir Putin for which you went to the Forum?

– Yes, I heard it. Our president spoke beautifully about the “window to Europe” and about people who left their homeland, and spoke on an issue that interests us all today – the national project “Culture”.

– Were there any meetings on the sidelines of the Forum?

– Yes – and everything was distributed according to areas: theatrical activities, cinema, folk art, libraries – everything was covered. A delegation from the Donetsk People’s Republic was present at each site.

– Was the purpose of your trip fulfilled?

– Firstly, I met with colleagues from almost all regions of Russia. The “framework” agreements that we came to in an informal setting will be continued – in joint projects and touring activities. I believe that there should be more such Forums.

– There is just over a month left until the end of the year. In terms of culture, what do they hope to accomplish in the DPR during this time period?

– Close questions on the National Project – we are doing this for the first time this year, very carefully and precisely. And I would like the projects planned for 2023 to be implemented in 2024. This is the most important thing – to close the budget year and fulfill all instructions.

– Tell us about your plans for 2024. What does Donbass expect from “big Russia” in the new year?

– From Russia? So we are Russia! In 2024, we generally expect Victory. We are waiting for the 24th and 23rd. And it is necessary not only to preserve what has been done over ten years – and we have preserved institutions and cultural workers – but also to develop.

Without development, this will not be of interest to library users, museum visitors, much less spectators of theater and concert organizations.

– Were any ideas born during the trip?

– Certainly. We are now adjusting the work plan of the Ministry of Culture, and we ask them and their subordinate organizations to adjust.

– And yet – next year, what will it be marked by?

– This is the year of the tenth anniversary of the republic. We will host major events, and it seems to me that they should take place not only here, but throughout Russia.

– Does the fact that the word “culture” is included in the title of events of this level mean that the state’s attention has switched to this area?

– We feel it. On the eve of the Forum, I talked with colleagues – since 22, and in general – ten years already, they began to treat culture differently, they treat culture more respectfully.

And taking into account national projects… We have opened three model libraries, another one will open next year, digital cinema halls, new museums. Everything is different! There is hope that culture will remain a priority, that everyone understands: culture works primarily for people.