Philippines and Russia Ink Cultural Agreement

Aimed at strengthening and developing cultural ties, friendship and mutual understanding, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation led by Russian Ambassador Vitaly Vorobriev and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) led by Chairman Vilma Labrador signed a Protocol on Cooperation to ensure a healthy cultural exchange between the two countries last June 16 at the NCCA Office of the Chairman.

According to the agreement, both parties should be committed at promoting the exchange of cinema events in which delegates from both countries will be allowed to participate in these events and interact with their fellow filmmakers. The two countries have also agreed to send in their best artists in the field of music, dance and theater for the possibility of mutually organizing the Days of Russian Culture, to take place in the Philippines in 2011 and the Days of Philippine Culture to be held in Russia in 2012. Scholastic development is also eyed with the agreement on the proposal to develop cooperation in museum and library studies to encourage direct contacts between the respective experts and institutions.

Also in the hopes of fostering Phil-Russian relations, the Protocol on Cooperation states that the two countries “shall encourage cooperation in the field of fine arts, as well as traditional and folk arts, including handicrafts, through the exchange of exhibitions and fairs.”

The signing of Protocol of Cooperation was witnessed by Hon. Leslie Baja, Assistant Secretary of the European Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Performing for the event was the award-winning Tagala Brothers String Quartet composed by Jonathan, David, Jimmy Jr., Daniel and Samuel.