Iran, Russia Push for Cultural Cooperation with Joint Committee Meeting in Tehran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Russia’s culture minister proposed holding the Iran-Russia Joint Cultural Committee meeting in Tehran alongside the upcoming Russian Cultural Week, as both nations continue to deepen cultural and multilateral cooperation.
Russia’s Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, in a meeting with Kazem Jalali, Iran’s ambassador to Russia, and Raed Faridzadeh, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, announced plans for expanded participation of Russian artists in the forthcoming Russian Cultural Week in Iran.
She stated, “We propose convening the Iran-Russia Cultural Committee meeting in Tehran concurrently with the cultural week, and we are fully prepared for its implementation.”
Lyubimova also acknowledged Iran’s support during Russia’s BRICS presidency in 2024 and emphasized the need for continued collaboration both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Ambassador Jalali welcomed the proposal and expressed appreciation for Russia’s cooperation in organizing Iran’s cultural events in Moscow and St. Petersburg. He said, “We hope the reciprocal event in Iran will be held successfully, and we support the establishment of the joint cultural committee in Tehran.”
Highlighting the broader impact of cultural diplomacy, Jalali added, “We believe cultural relations play a crucial role in strengthening ties across all sectors, and we welcome cultural exchanges between our two nations.”
He also referred to the comprehensive Iran-Russia cooperation agreement and called for the formation of a working group under the Russian Ministry of Culture to coordinate more closely with Iran’s cultural attaché in Moscow for enhanced bilateral activities.
Faridzadeh, conveying greetings from Iran’s Culture Minister Seyyed Abbas Salehi, noted the significance of the newly founded “Eurasia Film Award,” describing it as a major step in promoting artistic collaboration. He stated that the Eurasia Film Academy and its awards could serve as a platform for extensive joint projects.
Faridzadeh further stressed the untapped potential for cinematic cooperation, citing plans for joint productions, educational initiatives, and collaborations in film archiving and museum projects under the joint cultural commission. He also announced that an initial meeting for the BRICS Film and Cinema Education Association (BEFMA) would take place in Tehran in June, with BRICS-related films featured as a separate section in Iran’s short and documentary festivals.
The meeting was also attended by Alireza Esmaeili, Deputy for Cinematic Development and Research; Masoud Ahmadvand, Iran’s cultural attaché in Russia; Andrey Malyshev, Deputy Minister of Culture of Russia; and Anton Kuznetsov, Director General for Cinematic Cooperation at the Russian Culture Ministry. All parties stressed the importance of expanding artistic ties, particularly in film production and co-productions.
Separately, Jalali hosted a gathering on Wednesday night at his residence in Moscow with Iranian participants of the 18th session of the Iran-Russia Permanent Economic Cooperation Commission.
Jalali described current Iran-Russia relations as being in a “golden period,” noting, “These ties are strengthening in all dimensions, and opportunities for cooperation exist across all sectors.”
He highlighted geographical proximity and shared views on multilateralism as key drivers of bilateral relations, saying, “The Leader’s message to the Russian President emphasized Iran’s vision of maintaining its independence while supporting a powerful and globally active Russia.”
Jalali said Iran’s Islamic revolutionary discourse promotes multilateral institutions, adding, “This shared discourse is visible in organizations like BRICS and brings our countries closer together.”
He also mentioned strategic initiatives such as the North-South Transport Corridor and the plan for transiting Russian gas via Iran as part of the growing economic cooperation.
During the event, Mohammad Mousavi, Deputy Minister of Petroleum for International Affairs and Secretary of the Joint Economic Commission, described the commission as a platform for implementing foundational agreements and thanked involved ministries and agencies for their constructive proposals.
Kheirollah Khademi, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development, referred to several ongoing transport projects and underlined the need for a clear roadmap to realize the 2025 slogan, “Investment for Production.”
He noted that transport is among the most promising sectors for Russian investment in Iran.
The Iranian delegation also provided updates on the latest expert-level meetings of the commission held in Moscow.
