The Commission’s meeting was presided over by its chair, Governor of the City of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev. Also taking part in the meeting were Presidential Aide, Secretary of the State Council Alexei Dyumin, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Liliya Gumerova, First Deputy Minister of Culture Sergei Obryvalin, State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Culture Zhanna Alexeyeva, Human Rights Commissioner of the Russian Federation Yana Lantratova, Director of the All-Russian Decorative Art Museum Tatyana Rybkina, Director of the Vasily Polenov State Russian House of Folk Art Tamara Purtova, and Chairman of the Board of the Folk Arts and Crafts of Russia Association Alexander Drozhzhin, among others.
Alexei Dyumin underscored the importance of promoting Russian culture abroad. A significant role in this endeavour is assigned to the “Russian Houses” – Russian centres of science and culture operating in more than 70 countries. At present, these centres are facing significant difficulties in a number of states. In this connection, the Federal Agency for CIS Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) has been instructed to reset and strengthen the work of the Russian Houses.
Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Liliya Gumerova noted that Russia’s cultural legacy possesses unique cultural value and great educational significance, and that considerable progress has recently been achieved in preserving sites of cultural heritage, including through legislative measures. In 2022, the Federal Law on Intangible Ethnocultural Heritage was adopted. All regions are contributing to the federal state register of intangible ethnocultural heritage, which presently contains 90 entries. Among these are Tuvan throat singing (khoomei), Bashkir kurai, the technique of making Orenburg downy shawls, Kubachi gold embroidery, Dymkovo toys, and Yelets lace. In essence, they have received state-protected status and will never again be consigned to oblivion.
Deputy Minister of Culture Zhanna Alexeyeva emphasised that the most pressing state task at present is to instil in young people respect for the history of the Fatherland and to provide the younger generation with sound moral guidance.
Presidential Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova spoke about the development of the domestic children’s toy industry in the context of protecting traditional values and ensuring the country’s cultural security.