❗️Comment by the Ambassador of Russia to South Africa, Roman Ambarov, for RIA Novosti (July 15, 2025)
✍️ Today, cultural exchange between Russia and South Africa is a vibrant and evolving relationship, but its roots go back to the Soviet times. At that time, South African cultural and political figures studied at Soviet universities, becoming acquainted with the Russian language, literature, and arts. This laid the foundation for mutual respect and interest in each other’s cultures.
Currently, both sides are actively implementing a wide range of joint cultural exchange projects — from festivals and exhibitions to educational programs and theatrical productions.
In recent years, special attention has been given to developing ties in the performing arts. For example, in 2023, the St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre toured Johannesburg with a production of Swan Lake, which was met with great success. In 2024, as part of the Days of Spiritual Culture of Russia in South Africa, a concert was held by the chamber ensemble Moscow Soloists under the direction of Yuri Bashmet.
Russian audiences are also discovering South African artists. In July of this year, for the first time in the history of the International Chekhov Theatre Festival, jazz singer Simphiwe Dana performed alongside the Vuyani Dance Theatre, led by choreographer Gregory Maqoma, in the project Moya. In June, at the international ballet festival Benois de la Danse at the Bolshoi Theatre, South African representatives Joshua Williams (Best Male Dancer) and Mthuthuzeli November (Best Choreographer) were named laureates — a significant moment in the festival’s history and in the cultural dialogue between our two countries. Also in July, the Theatre of Nations hosted the premiere of Miss Julie by August Strindberg, directed by James Ngcobo, Artistic Director of the Johannesburg City Theatres.
🎶 Musical cooperation between our countries is also flourishing. In spring 2025, South African tenor Lukhanyo Moyake performed Lensky’s aria in Russian at the VII International BraVo Music Awards in Moscow, receiving a heartfelt response from the audience. Around the same time, Igor Butman’s jazz quartet performed at the renowned Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
And that’s not all. In September, a South African group will participate in the international music competition Intervision in Moscow. Additionally, in the fall, Russian pianist Konstantin Emelyanov will give a solo concert in Pretoria, marking the start of the South African leg of the Pianissimo festival, which will travel through Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
🇷🇺🤝🇿🇦 All these projects vividly demonstrate the high level of trust, mutual interest, and cultural affinity between Russia and South Africa. For our part, we intend to continue strengthening this bond, expanding cooperation, and opening new horizons for creative dialogue.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
🇷🇺🇿🇦📞 President Vladimir Putinspoke over the phone with President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa.
The President of South Africa expressed his deep condolences and feelings of solidarity over the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall. He wished resilience to the families and friends of the victims and a speedy recovery to the injured.
The Leaders expressed satisfaction with the current level of strategic partnership between their countries and discussed issues of practical trade, economic, energy and humanitarian cooperation.
Speaking in the context of the #BRICS Chairmanship, which Russia has taken over from South Africa, they discussed interaction within the group in its new expanded format.
In light of the peace initiative advanced by African states to resolve the Ukraine crisis, Cyril Ramaphosa briefed Vladimir Putin on South Africa’s intention to continue working in this area with due regard for Russia’s legitimate interests. Vladimir Putin, in turn, outlined Russia’s position of principle on developments around Ukraine, noting that Russia had always been open to a serious and substantive discussion of a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict.
#RussiaAfrica#RussiaSouthAfrica
✔️🇷🇺🇿🇦 В Петрозаводске состоялось подписание Меморандума о взаимопонимании между Республикой Карелия и провинцией Северный Кейп.
С официальным визитом в Карелию прибыл Премьер-министр провинции Северный Кейп Замани Саул.
В ходе встречи с Первым заместителем Главы Республики Карелия – Премьер-министром Правительства Республики Карелия А.С. Сергеевым стороны обсудили широкий круг вопросов, представляющих взаимный интерес. Был отмечен значительный потенциал для развития торгово-экономических связей, а также сотрудничества в сферах промышленности, инноваций, туризма и культуры.
🤝 Результатом переговоров стало подписание Меморандума о взаимопонимании, определившего ключевые направления межрегионального партнерства.
«Мы видим большой потенциал для взаимодействия, особенно в таких отраслях, как лесопромышленный комплекс, машиностроение и туризм. Провинция Северный Кейп обладает уникальным опытом в переработке камня, алмазодобыче и природными ресурсами, туристическим потенциалом. Мы уверены, что наше сотрудничество будет взаимовыгодным», — отметил заместитель Премьер-министра Правительства РК О.А. Ермолаев.
📌 Программа визита также включает знакомство с экономическим и культурным потенциалом региона: делегация посетит ведущие промышленные предприятия, включая АО «Кондопожский ЦБК», «ЭФЭР», МБ Барбелл.
#RussiaSouthAfrica#BRICS#Karelia#NorthernCape#russianMFA
🗓 Today, on June 5, the XXVII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum has kicked off. The main theme of the event is "The Formation of New Areas of Growth as the Cornerstone of a Multipolar World".
Over the years, the Forum has become the world's leading platform for the business community to communicate and discuss key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets and the world as a whole.
👨💼👩💼 More than 17,100 people from 136 countries and territories, as well as 3,400 media representatives are participating in SPIEF-2024.
The plenary session of the Forum will traditionally be addressed by Russia's President Vladimir Putin, who has previously sent greeting to the participants, organisers and guests of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The SPIEF-2024 business programme consists of four thematic tracks:
🔹 The Transition to a Multipolar World Economy;
🔹 Goals and Objectives of Russia’s New Economic Cycle;
🔹 Technologies for Leadership;
🔹 A Healthy Society, Traditional Values and Social Development: The Priority of the State.
The programme includes more than 150 thematic sessions with over 1,000 moderators and speakers.
In addition, events organised by the Russian Foreign Ministry will traditionally take place on the margins of the SPIEF:
• On June 7, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold a briefing, as well as a session on "International and National Experiences of Artificial Intelligence Regulation: Best Practices";
• On June 8, The International Affairs, a magazine published by the Foreign Ministry, will hold a debate titled "Polycentricity: The Norm of a Future World without Colonies and Hegemons".
🤝 The programme of events of the SPIEF-2024 international track includes more than 10 business dialogues, including formats EAEU-ASEAN, #RussiaAfrica, #RussiaLatinAmerica, #RussiaChina, #RussiaSouthAfrica, #RussiaKazakhstan, #RussiaIndia, #RussiaIran, #RussiaBrazil and other bilateral meetings.
The forum will last until June 8.
#SPIEF2024