Speeches & Interviews
Latushko: Belarus seeks to preserve best cultural traditions
MINSK, 12 June (BelTA) – Belarus is trying to preserve the best traditions of the national culture, Belarus’ Culture Minister Pavel Latushko said at the international conference “Culture of Belarus: Modern Reality” timed to the 20th anniversary of the Institute of Culture of Belarus, BelTA has learnt.
Pavel Latushko noted that the national culture is vigorously developing. Its major objectives have been articulated in the first Belarus’ Culture government program for 2011-2015. “We seek to preserve the best traditions and to promote the national culture both in Belarus and abroad,” the Culture Minister said.
He emphasized the need for new forms of financial support of culture, civilized services market and active involvement of the domestic culture in global processes.
In recent years, cultural events have been financed both by state-run and private companies. Government funds are now spent more efficiently. Pavel Latushko emphasized the need to improve the legal framework of financial support of culture. He added that the Culture Ministry has initiated reforms to improve the mechanisms of providing government support for culture.
The Culture Code is to be developed by 2015. This is a brand new document containing all the existing regulations and legal acts.
Pavel Latushko noted that Belarus will further work to preserve and promote the national culture by taking part in various international art forums, festivals and other cultural events. To be a success, Belarus needs to improve the quality, competitiveness and investment appeal of vocation training, expand the export of educational services, and support young artists and innovative projects of the youth. A special focus should be placed on the protection and renovation of the historical and cultural monuments, expansion of Belarus’ presence in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
One of the priorities of the ministry is cinematography. The ministry seeks to introduce significant changes in this area, and is taking concrete steps in this regard. The main challenge is to ensure a new approach based on competitive distribution of funds, to develop private movie production, and thus form a modern movie market in Belarus. Pavel Latushko said that recently the Culture Ministry has finished accepting applications for the open contest of national movies and movies on social and creative issues. Some 60 movie projects from 15 public and private cinematography companies were shortlisted to take part in the contest. According to the minister, this shows that the cinematography market does not stand still. Next contests will attract a larger number of participants, including private partners, Pavel Latushko is sure.
Another priority area is to present the national culture outside the country and create its attractive image by strengthening the national identity. “We are facing a major challenge: on the one hand, we seek to increase the demand for culture inside our country, and on the other hand, we need to create the conditions for large-scale presentation of our cultural values abroad,” said Pavel Latushko.
The project "Belarus’ Capital of Culture” continues. It contributes toward a broader presentation of the cultural identity, development and popularization of its traditions and achievements, promotion of tourism opportunities of different regions of the country. The project also invigorates the cultural life and makes cultural services for Belarusians more accessible, regardless of their place of residence.
Attending the conference “Culture of Belarus: Modern Realities” are about 120 representatives of Belarus, Azerbaijan, Germany, China, Lithuania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Japan.
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