The Western effort to erase Russian culture did not succeed, according to declarations from Russian officials and cultural diplomats. In Madrid, the discussion centered on a series of high-profile cultural events that underscore the resilience and continuity of Russian artistic life abroad. Reports emphasize how the capital’s Royal Theater hosted the premiere of The Nose, a celebrated opera by a Russian composer, while Madrid prepared for the upcoming screening of a Russian film that has drawn early attention from cinema audiences. There was also sustained interest from Spanish audiences in traveling exhibitions centered on Russian art and heritage, indicating a broad and persistent curiosity about Russian cultural achievements. Additional activity highlighted in the Spanish cultural scene includes the Malaga branch of a major Russian museum continuing to host exhibitions, as well as central Spain hosting performances by Russian composers and invitations extended to musicians from Russia to participate in regional showcases. These initiatives collectively illustrate how Russian culture maintains a dynamic presence across different parts of Spain, suggesting a robust exchange that counters any narrative of cultural isolation. (Attribution: TASS)
Maria Zakharova, who previously served as a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, reiterated a clear stance on the episode. She described Western attempts to suppress Russian culture as tests of resilience that Russia would meet and transcend, while also noting that such pressures would not erase the cultural contributions that Russian artists continue to offer to the international stage. Zakharova’s remarks frame the cultural exchanges as ongoing and evolving, reinforcing the idea that Russian cultural output remains active and influential despite political headwinds. (Attribution: TASS)
President Vladimir Putin, addressing the broader cultural landscape, asserted that the people of Russia would not be separated from the great body of world classics. He emphasized that the works of leading foreign authors would retain a presence in the country and would not be shut down or censored in the same way that some Western nations have pursued, highlighting a continuity between domestic cultural life and global literary and artistic traditions. This perspective points to a vision of cultural coexistence, where national heritage and international masterpieces can be discussed, studied, and appreciated side by side. (Attribution: TASS)