During government sessions in the State Duma, Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova announced plans to extend the national Culture project through 2030. The report, issued by RIA News, highlights the cabinet’s approach to prolonging the initiative beyond its current timeline and strengthening its cultural footprint across the country.
The minister outlined that the national project is in its fifth year of execution and has demonstrated a robust level of funding and implementation. With this momentum, the ministry is actively laying groundwork to expand the scope of the program over the next decade, ensuring a broader reach and deeper impact on Russia’s cultural landscape.
Lyubimova stressed the necessity for regional modernization of cultural facilities. Under the auspices of the Culture project, substantial work has already been completed, including the reconstruction or major renovation of 274 buildings housing children’s art schools between 2022 and 2023. In addition, 610 art schools and colleges have received new musical instruments, equipment, and updated educational materials to uplift the quality of arts education.
The minister also noted significant progress in rural cultural development, with 336 cultural centers either newly constructed, rebuilt, or undergoing major repairs across 68 regions. This year alone, construction and renovation efforts for 75 more such institutions were completed, expanding access to cultural life in remote communities.
In 2022, 103 movie theaters in settlements with populations up to 500 thousand were modernized across 50 regions, marking a notable improvement in regional cinema infrastructure. Plans remain in motion to inaugurate an additional 94 movie theaters in 38 regions by the end of the year, further broadening cinematic access and local cultural programming for diverse audiences.
The report concludes with a note about public discourse on cultural symbols and policy. A former member of parliament recently floated the possibility of restricting Barbie products in Russia amid discussions around media and material representation. This suggestion reflects ongoing debates about cultural content and its reception within national boundaries, illustrating the broader resonance of culture policy within current public dialogue.