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Expanding cultural ties and developing cooperation with Africa will be discussed at the Creative Business Forum's field session at the Second Russia–Africa Summit and Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum

The Innosocium Foundation, the social platform of the Roscongress Foundation, will host a field session of the 7th Creative Business Forum (CBF) at the Second Russia–Africa Summit and Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which will take place in Saint Petersburg on 27–28 July 2023. The event is the largest in Russian–African relations and is designed to define the forms and directions of cooperation for the long term. The humanitarian component plays a significant role in this interaction, which is reflected in the name of the event.

The programme of the CBF field session focuses on exploring the potential of creative industries as a tool for creating a sustainable future through ergonomic solutions, the synergy of innovation and creativity, and the harmonious integration of traditional culture into a world where modern technology and scientific advances play a central role. The main theme of the session will be the development of a creative economy based on domestic potential and national identity.

“The renewed format of the Creative Business Forum expands the geography of its topics. Developing ties with African countries in the fields of education, science, culture, inter-civilization dialogue and civil society dialogue is more relevant today than ever before. Given the turbulence of the global economy and the transformation of international economic associations, this facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experience and the establishment of effective partnerships in the creative industries,” said Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation.

During the field session, there will be a discussion titled “Creative Economy: Developing Cultural Projects and Brands. Prospects for Russia's Interaction with the African Continent”. Participants will discuss new opportunities for cooperation, the development of culture and the arts, the expansion of cultural ties and the implementation of joint creative projects between Russia and African countries. Among the invited speakers are Olga Lyubimova. Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Alexander Sedov, General Director of the Museum of Oriental Art, Alexander Zharov, Chief Executive Officer of Gazprom-Media Holding, and Valery Belgorodsky, Rector of the A.N. Kosygin Russian State University. Also invited are representatives of African countries: Mourad Chouikhi, Director General of the National Centre for Cinema and Audiovisual Arts (Algeria), Ahmadou Aly Mbaye, Rector and President of the Cheikh Anta Diop University Assembly (Dakar), Mamadou Diombera, Director General of the National School of Traditional Arts and Crafts (Senegal), Benedict Okey Orama, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), Ahmed Mohamed Zahi, Founder of the Al Fustat Centre for Traditional Crafts, Pottery and Ceramics (Egypt), Professor Avo Mana Asiedu of Ghana State University's School of Stage Art, Lulseged Retta, Chairman of the Ethiopian Artists Association, who happens to be a graduate of the V.I. Surikov Academy of Fine Arts, and Usman Diona, General Director of the Daniel Sorano National Theatre Company (Senegal).

11.07.2023