At the IV Forum Russian Creative Week, leaders across culture, the creative sectors, education, and the federal government gathered to discuss support for domestic content producers, the regulatory framework guiding creative activities, and the launch of new projects and training initiatives within the system of secondary specialized education. The central plenary session highlighted these topics as a key moment in shaping a national strategy for the creative economy.
The plenary centered on the theme “Ensuring Creative Sovereignty. Setting goals for the creative economy of Russia 2033+.” The discussion explored how Russia can strengthen its creative industries while safeguarding cultural autonomy and long-term economic growth.
During the meeting, Sergey Kravtsov, the Minister of Education, outlined efforts to integrate creative industries into the secondary vocational education system. He noted that a new law passed last year enables colleges to establish their own businesses, signaling a shift toward practical, on-site entrepreneurship within the education framework.
Speaking on behalf of national leadership, Kravtsov described a broad, government-supported initiative named Professionalism, part of a relaunch of secondary vocational education. The plan envisions launching a creative ideas fair within the project timeline, enabling students to showcase projects and receive institutional backing to move ideas toward production. This approach links classroom innovation with real-world production and market readiness.
Sergey Novikov, head of the Russian Presidential Department of Public Projects, stressed that the creative industry’s value is measured not only by economic indicators but also by social impact. He emphasized that sustaining and developing media, films, and content for social networks—along with book publishing, fashion, and software—depends on domestic capacity. Without proactive domestic production, external platforms could fill the void, potentially shaping content rules and access in ways that align with other actors’ interests.
Novikov argued that sanctions pressure and domestic market consolidation present opportunities for growth. The state is taking steps to create favorable conditions for cultural and creative sectors, urging the most dynamic businesses to fill existing gaps and pioneer new niches that reflect national priorities and audience needs.
Denis Kravchenko, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Economic Policy Committee, spoke about removing barriers to the emergence of domestically produced content. He suggested that once a framework bill supporting creative industries is in place, the government can tailor forms of assistance. He estimated the legislation would regulate a substantial portion of the industry, streamlining governance and support mechanisms for creators and firms alike.
The festival and forum Russian Creative Week began on July 3 in Moscow and is scheduled to continue through July 9. The event blends discussions, exhibitions, and opportunities for professionals across the creative spectrum to connect, collaborate, and explore pathways from idea to production.
Earlier in the week, during one of the roundtables of Russia’s Creativity Week, a media technology expert examined the rising audience engagement on Telegram channels, offering insights into how digital communication platforms can amplify local content, voices, and perspectives. The discussion underscored the importance of mastering modern distribution channels to support domestic creators and ensure that homegrown talent finds broad, sustainable audiences.