Putin Establishes Russian Cultural Foundation

Speaking to a conference of schoolteachers, the Russian president announced something that sounds like a Russian version of the British Council, Goethe Haus, Casa Italiana, the Alliance Francaise or our own Fulbright program:

Dear colleagues! Your conference is not an ordinary event. It is hard to act as if this meeting refers only to a given sector. The topics you raise really do affect Russian society as a whole. The education and upbringing of our children, and passing on the best traditions and values of Russian culture cannot leave anyone indifferent.

In connection with this I would like to tell you that today I signed a decree on creating a Russian World foundation designed to promote the study and popularity of Russian language in Russia and in the world, as well as disseminate and develop Russia’s cultural heritage, a field in which the humanities plays an important role.

I will repeat that this basis forms personalities and helps master other knowledge. It helps build effective public life and a democratic civil society. And I repeat that such education is crucial for our young people who are presently studying in secondary schools and universities.