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generous grants

Russian Presidential Foundation Awards $16M to Pro-War Culture Projects

Among the winners of the state competition were music festivals featuring songs about the war in Ukraine and patriotic-infused art installations.

conservative tilt

Russia Halts Release of Iranian Film on Prostitution – Distributor

Authorities said "Holy Spider," an award-winning film about a serial killer who targets sex workers in Iran, contained materials prohibited by Russian...

Debates Over Ukraine War Rock U.K. Universities, Cultural Institutions

For Russian language students, the main impact of the war has been to make it impossible to visit the place they are studying.

political promotion

Former Kremlin Youth Activist Appointed Head of Pushkin Museum

A former policewoman and erstwhile pro-Kremlin youth movement member has been appointed to run Moscow’s Pushkin Museum.

opinion Mikhail Shevchuk

How Cancel Culture Works in Russia

The debate about how best to punish "incorrect" cultural figures in Russia — that is, those who criticize the war in Ukraine or the Kremlin &mdash...

artistic license

Head of Russia’s Tretyakov Gallery Replaced After Culture Ministry Standoff

A new director has been appointed to the State Tretyakov Gallery, one of Russia’s most renowned fine arts museums, following a reported clash with...

opinion Philip Boobbyer

How Culture and Faith Might Help Russia Find its True Voice

If we find ourselves in hell, what voice will we scream with? "Not with our own," observed the Russian writer Andrei Sinyavsky in his 1973 book of...

more than books

A Glimpse Behind the Bookshelves in Russia's Small-Town Libraries

In Russia’s rural villages, there are very few cultural institutions. Oftentimes, there is only a single library and a single House of Culture (community...

Erasing Heritage

How Russia 'Removed' Priceless Kuindzhi Artworks from Ukraine's Mariupol

As street fighting raged, valuable museum exhibits were tracked down by Russian forces.

Russian Soprano Netrebko Condemns Ukraine War, Serebrennikov Leaves Country

Netrebko hopes to work again while theater director Serebrennikov gets down to business.

power of boycotts

Cold Shoulder for Russian Artists Sparks Debate Over Cultural Boycotts

A pall has fallen over Russian artists, long crown jewels of a country whose fine arts are an eminent source of soft power.

'cultural boycott'

Cultural Iron Curtain Falls For Russian Musicians

"What's happening today is different, it goes beyond the Cold War, it's a real war"

Russian Animated Film Nominated for Oscars 2022

The unusual love story "Boxballet" by Anton Dyakov is a contender for the short animated film award.

RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY

Azerbaijan Walks Back Plans to Erase Armenian Traces From Churches

The ministry published a statement addressing "reports circulated by some biased foreign mass media outlets over the past few days."

artistic license

Russian Theater Execs Protest Ministry’s ‘Traditional Values’ Push

The Culture Ministry seeks to enshrine a policy to protect and promote what it calls “traditional Russian values” in arts and culture.

New Life for Abandoned Buildings in Russian Provinces

Volunteers, entrepreneurs and Russian towns are giving new life to old, abandoned industrial eyesores.

culture delivers

Arts Played a Starring Role at 'Russian Davos'

For the first time the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum focused on the creative industries.

Russian-Tajik Singer Manizha Heads to Eurovision

The singer-songwriter will represent Russia at Eurovision with a feminist song called “Russian Woman.”

Through the lens

Russian, Ukrainian Photographers Shortlisted for World’s Top Award

The Moscow Times presents works by photographers shortlisted for this year's Sony World Photography Awards.

cinematic honor

'The Treasure of William Brumfield' Premieres in Moscow

William Craft Brumfield has dedicated his life's work to the study of Russian architecture and culture.

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