At the formal unveiling of the Academy of Creative Industries within the Tavrida art cluster, the Russian president spoke about a pivotal moment for the nation. He stated that the time has arrived for Russia to defend its right to self-determination and to act in a way that faithfully reflects its own identity. The speaker emphasized that the country should resist any attempt to silence or override its intrinsic character, noting that globally, there is increasing pressure to conform to externally imposed norms that dampen originality and the spirit of development. He framed the current period as a critical window for defining the nation’s path and safeguarding the freedom to be true to itself. This message underlined a broader belief that culture thrives when individuals and communities are permitted to invent, experiment, and express without fear of external constraints, a principle he linked directly to the Tavrida project.
According to the remarks, freedom is essential for genuine creativity, and Tavrida has been designed as a space where such freedom can take root and grow. The president described the festival environment as one that fosters diverse cultural expressions while maintaining shared values that he believes strengthen the Russian people and enrich the country’s cultural landscape. The emphasis remained on the idea that artistic and intellectual independence fuels resilience and national unity, enabling culture to flourish across different regions and generations. The message suggested that cultural vitality is not a luxury but a foundation for a robust civil society, capable of withstanding external pressures while remaining true to its own historical and social context.
Earlier, in August of the previous year, the president delivered a video message to participants of the Tavrida.Art festival. He noted that participants come from various spheres of culture and art, yet they are connected by a shared and intelligible set of values that, in his view, render the Russian people formidable and their culture a source of enduring appeal. The remarks highlighted involvement from young people in the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, illustrating a broader sense of cultural inclusion within the festival’s framework. This aspect was presented as evidence of a wider cultural dialogue that transcends regional divisions and invites a broader spectrum of voices to contribute to the national artistic tapestry. ”}{