Russian Consulate in Cape Town

⚠️ Media accreditation is now open for the #G20 Finance Track Meetings to be held in February. For more information on South Africa's G20 Presidency, please visit the official website. 📩 For enquiries, email: [email protected] and [email protected] #G20#FinanceTrackMeeting

100 days until the celebration of Great Victory Day! We remember. We are proud. We are grateful. #Victory80

Only on September 8, 1941, the Nazis dropped more than six thousand bombs on the besieged Leningrad. The smoke from the fires filled the streets, buildings were burning. During these days, Leningrad's firefighters took on their dangerous and difficult duty. The quarter of the city's fire brigade was made up of women who replaced the men who had gone to the front. It was not an easy job. During the blockade, the Nazis dropped more than 100,000 bombs and more heavy shells on the city, the number of fires exceeded 13,000. Two thousand Leningrad firefighters died defending the city. For their heroism, the Leningrad fire brigade was awarded the Order of Lenin. #Victory80

📸 Join the 2025 Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest! 🌍 The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest, established on December 22, 2014, under the patronage of the Russian Federation’s Commission for UNESCO, celebrates its 11th anniversary this year! This prestigious competition is dedicated to discovering emerging talents in international photojournalism and setting quality standards in documentary photography. About the Contest: The contest aims to support young photojournalists aged 18 to 33, offering them a platform to share their perspectives on key themes such as global humanitarian challenges, national identity, social equality, and the environment. Each year, the number of participants and countries represented grows, adding to its significance. Winners' works will be featured in the international roadshow, showcasing incredible stories across the globe! Key Details: 🗓️ Application Period: December 22, 2024, to February 28, 2025 🌐 Website: stenincontest.com 💰 Entry Fee: None 🌍 Participating Countries: Open to all Categories: 1. Top News - one photo/image series 2. Sports - one photo image 3. My Planet - one photo/image series 4. Portrait. A Hero of Our Time - one photo/image series 5. Top View - one photo image Prizes: 🏆 Grand Prix: Approximately $6,750 (RUB 700,000) 🥇 1st Place (per category): Approximately $1,200 (RUB 125,000) 🥈 2nd Place (per category): Approximately $965 (RUB 100,000) 🥉 3rd Place (per category): Approximately $723 (RUB 75,000) 🏆 Additional prizes may also be awarded by contest sponsors! Submit your story and become part of this extraordinary competition! Tell your story through the lens and make your voice heard. 📷✨ For detailed information and to submit your entry, visit [stenincontest.com](https://stenincontest.com/). #SteninContest#Photojournalism#EmergingPhotographers#PhotographyCompetition#TellYourStory

🇨🇳🇷🇺Chinese New Year Festival opened in Moscow The event will unite two dozen locations: Manezhnaya, Tverskaya and Bolotnaya squares, Kamergersky and Stoleshnikov lanes, Tverskaya Boulevard, Novy Arbat, VDNKh. The festival is part of the cross program of events within the framework of the Years of Culture of Russia and China and will last until February 9. The opening ceremony of the festival was attended by Maria Zakharova, Director of the Department of Information and Press, official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Zhang Hanhui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Russian Federation and Deputy Mayor of Moscow Natalia Sergunina. "The festival's events are aimed at making Russians and Chinese more familiar with each other's customs and traditions." "A colorful program awaits guests, which will last 13 days. Last year the festival was held for the first time, but already then it was visited by more than 700 thousand people. I think this year the record will be broken," emphasized the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova. 🧧On the main platform of the festival - Manezhnaya Square - there will be performances with the participation of Chinese artists. In festive chalets, stylized as pagodas, visitors will be offered traditional cuisine - from Hong Kong waffles to Peking duck. And those who wish will be able to play xiangqi - an analog of chess. #HappyLunarNewYear#RussiaChina#RussianMFA

✒️165th Anniversary of Anton Chekhov's Birth Today, January 29, marks the 165th anniversary of the birth of the great writer and dramatist Anton Chekhov. His works on humanity, fate and complexity of human relationships remain relevant and inspiring for every generation. Chekhov wrote more than 700 short stories and plays, all of which retain their value and timelessness. From profound psychological insights and sharp social themes to simple yet wise reflections on life — his works remain an integral part of world literature. "They say that in the end truth will win, but that is false." Chekhov was not only a master of short stories but also a person who revolutionized theater. His plays «The Seagull» and «The Cherry Orchard» are more than just works of drama—they are timeless symbols of change, human struggle and inevitability of time. The first production of “The Seagull” in Saint Petersburg in 1896 was a disaster: the audience jeered, actors forgot lines for the play, Chekhov left the premiere. However, just two years later, in 1898, the Moscow Art Theatre, under the direction of Stanislavsky, transformed this story of unfulfilled dreams, painful love and search for meaning into its emblem. «The Seagull» went on to become a true legend of the stage. On this day, we remember the great writer whose works continue to make us think, feel and reassess.

🖋Excerpt from Russia’s Foreign Ministry’s answers to media questions submitted (but not answered live due to time constraints)for Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s news conference on the outcomes of Russian diplomacy in 2024 ❓ Question: What country, in your view, suggests options for peace talks on Ukraine that are most acceptable to Russia – China, India, Hungary, or some other country? What countries influenced the escalation or de-escalation of the Ukraine crisis the most? ✍️ Response: Much has been said on this topic. President of Russia Vladimir Putin has repeatedly addressed this issue, including during his Direct Line, at the Valdai International Discussion Club’s meeting before that, and other events. We cannot be satisfied with empty talk. What we hear so far are conversations about the need to invent a truce. In the meantime, it is not being concealed that the truce is needed to gain time in order to continue pumping Ukraine full of weapons so that they “put themselves in order,” carry out an additional mobilisation, etc. The initiatives on Ukraine crisis settlement that have been advanced by China and Brazil stress the need for respecting the UN Charter. The territorial integrity principle is mentioned from time to time. We tell our Chinese and Brazilian friends and other countries that cooperate in promoting this initiative dictated by the best of intentions that the UN Charter is much more multi-faceted and is not confined to the territorial integrity principle alone. The principle of self-determination of nations is no less important. Were it not for this principle, there would have been problems with decolonising African and other nations. It is this principle that furnished the international legal basis of the decolonisation. And it reflected unwillingness, unpreparedness and impossibility on the part of the African nations to live under the colonial rule. It is exactly the same story with the population in Crimea, Donbass, and Novorossiya that is unwilling, unable and will never tolerate being ruled by the Nazis, who have seized power in Kiev. Therefore, the principle of self-determination of nations comes into play. And they did opt for self-determination. Crimea did so in 2014, and Donbass and Novorossiya in 2022. These are the realities recorded by the Russian Constitution. To quote President Putin, we are ready to consider any serious and concrete proposals. We are always ready for consultations. If someone cannot understand our position that we have repeatedly stated in an utterly clear way, we are always ready to reaffirm this position. We are open to any talks, if they are about the substance, the prime causes, and the principles that Vladimir Putinset outin his remarks at the Foreign Ministry in June 2024. It should be emphasised that these are not preconditions. This is a requirement to fulfill what everyone signed up to while adopting the UN Charter. By way of reminder, China’s President Xi Jinping, while advancing his global security initiative in February 2023, an initiative covering any conflicts and settlement principles thereof, focused in particular on the need to identify and remove the prime causes of any conflict in order to settle it.

✍🏻 С 1 января 2025 года максимальный срок пребывания на территории Российской Федерации иностранных граждан, въезжающих в безвизовом порядке, составит не более 90 дней в календарном году. Об этом напомнил МВД России со ссылкой на принятый в августе этого года закон, направленный на совершенствование законодательства в сфере миграции. Ранее упомянутые лица могли находиться на территории России не более 90 дней в течение 180 дней. ☝🏻Указанные ограничения не коснутся иностранцев, которым оформлен долгосрочный миграционный статус на территории России — в частности, прибывших с целью обучения, получивших патент или имеющих трудовые отношения с работодателем.

Today marks the 205th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica! 🥳 On January 28, 1820, the ships of the First Russian Antarctic Expedition, under the command of Faddei Bellingshausen aboard «Vostok» and Mikhail Lazarev aboard «Mirny», became the first in history to approach the shores of Antarctica. They were just a few miles from the Princess Martha Coast. As Mikhail Lazarev described: «On January 16 (Old Style), we reached latitude 69°23' S, where we encountered massive ice of extraordinary height…» This day is rightfully considered the discovery of Antarctica by our compatriots. Today, as in many years past, Russian polar explorers continue to conduct cutting-edge scientific research on the coldest continent on Earth. Photos: Andrey Mirakin, Dmitry Rezvov, AARI

✍️Excerpts from Russia’s Foreign Ministry’s answers to media questions for Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s news conference on the performance of Russian diplomacy in 2024 #UkrainianCrisis Russia has pointed out on numerous occasions that it is ready for talks on a settlement in Ukraine. We stand for a truly final, just and lasting solution based on the elimination of the root causes of that crisis. A temporary ceasefire and a conflict freeze are unacceptable solutions. The West will inevitably use them to reinforce the Kiev regime’s military potential and to take a military revenge. We want reliable and legally binding agreements with mechanisms guaranteeing the non-resumption of the conflict. #RussiaChina#Victory80 This year, we are celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Great Victory across both the European and Asian theatres of conflict. The peoples of the Soviet Union and China, having shouldered the formidable burden of resisting the aggressors, valiantly withstood the severe trials and triumphed over the enemy, albeit at the cost of tremendous human and material sacrifices. The memory of this monumental achievement by our forebears remains sacred to our nations, serving to fortify the enduring Russian-Chinese friendship and instil a sense of patriotism in our youth. Russia and China are poised to celebrate this significant anniversary on a grand scale. #RussiaAfrica Russia has been systematically striving to enhance the full spectrum of relations with African states. The solid foundations of successful Russian-African collaboration lie in our shared objective of cultivating a just world and, to a large extent, a harmonious approach to addressing pressing international issues. #RussiaUSA Donald Trump’s return to the White House following last November’s presidential election significantly alters the political landscape within the US. However, from the perspective of Russian-American relations, given the bipartisan Russophobic consensus that has developed, premised on the perception of Russia as an existential threat to American hegemony, no substantial positive developments should be anticipated. <...> It must be emphasised that we are not harbouring any illusions about the new/old president. During his first term, contrary to expectations, the deterioration of bilateral ties initiated by Barack Obama persisted, and Donald Trump surpassed his predecessors in the scale of sanctions imposed against Russia. #RussiaIran Our bilateral cooperation has achieved an unprecedented level under the direction of the leaders of both nations. The conclusion of such a comprehensive agreement [Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran] marks a significant event, representing a new milestone in the history of bilateral relations. #RussiaSyria We remain hopeful that the Syrian people will successfully overcome the challenges they face and develop consensus decisions about the future of their state. We stand ready to provide the Syrians with all possible support. #Eurasia We are actively pursuing the development of a Eurasian security architecture grounded in the principles of equality and indivisibility, ensuring that the primary responsibility for resolving regional disputes and conflicts rests with the states of the continent. President Vladimir Putin proposed this initiative during a meeting with the Foreign Ministry leadership on June 14, 2024. Our concept is grounded in the principle that “regional problems require regional solutions.”Responsibility for resolving conflicts and preventing harmful external interference must rest collectively with the nations of Eurasia. #Orthodoxy#Faith#FreedomOfReligion Сertain elements within the American establishment, the so-called deep state, are using the Kiev regime and NATO mechanisms against the Russian Orthodox Church. We see what they are doing and how cynically they behave targeting canonical Orthodoxy, trying to sow discord among Orthodox believers in Europe.

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with Kultura television channel for UNESCO: 70 Years in Russia film Key points 💬 The Soviet Union decided to join #UNESCO guided by the goals, principles and ideals laid out in its Charter, which included universal welfare, refusal of confrontation, equality, mutual respect, and equal rights for all people on Earth without exception in the spheres of culture, science, and education. • The Soviet Union was among the leaders. Now, as the Russian Federation, we are trying to keep this position. In the 1960s-1970s (the Soviet Union joined UNESCO in 1954), we began to strongly promote specific projects that fit into UNESCO’s mandate. • Our country and a group of enthusiasts have initiated an international communications programme, which was built on crucial principles such as ensuring freedom of speech, safe journalistic activities, and unhindered conditions for journalistic work. • We have indeed made a vast contribution to shaping the existing UNESCO agenda. Every year, we hold a meeting of the governmental Commission for UNESCO, which I chair. It is a major entity reflecting the entire range of our achievements in science, culture and education. 🌍 We are helping African countries in several areas. Africa is a priority for UNESCO, meaning that, in all areas of activity, including bodies, commissions and other events that we initiate, we pay special attention to this continent. • Just like the UN Secretariat, the UNESCO Secretariat has been largely privatised by the West. Time after time, it has strayed from its statutory duties which require it to be a unifying body and to stick to a neutral and unbiased position, rather than to do any government’s bidding. All these principles from the UN Charter and the UNESCO Charter often get violated. • The saddest part about the reputation of the current UNESCO leaders is that they have adopted an absolutely biased stance with regard to the Ukraine crisis in flagrant violation of the UNESCO Constitution, which insists on ensuring equal rights when it comes to access to education for all. ☝️I believe pulling out of UNESCO is not an option. We should instead fight this absolutely biased and unacceptable stance on the part of the Secretariat from within. That is exactly what we are doing: requesting information. The Secretariat is under obligation to respond to requests filed by member countries. Whenever we receive perfunctory answers to our inquiries, we make that state of affairs public. Read in full

🎓 The 270th anniversary of the Lomonosov Moscow State University is celebrated in Russia. 🇷🇺 Moscow State University, the first Russian university, was founded in 1755 on the initiative of Mikhail Lomonosov, an outstanding scientist of the Enlightenment, whose unsettled encyclopedic mind and energy gave the inner impetus to the project. From the very beginning, elitism was alien to the spirit of the university, shaping its long-standing democratic tradition. Students irrespective of their background have always been welcomed to the University, where they go on to become renowned alumni—famous scientists and scholars. Today, the focus is on advancing applied sciences: new materials, genetics, biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, cognitive sciences, ecology, and information technologies. The University works hard to preserve its heritage while developing traditions of a comprehensive approach to higher education and science. Moscow State University has a rich academic history. There have been 11 Nobel Prize winnersamong its professors and alumni. Yet the major commitment remains unchanged for centuries: to provide outstanding teaching, scholarship and research. What truly makes the University so lively is its intellectual spirit combined with inexhaustible curiosity. The doors of the University remain open to anyone who strives for new discoveries, creativity, and self-improvement. #MSU270#MSU_1755