Iran, Russia discuss cultural cooperation and Persian language department at St. Petersburg institute

Iranian Culture Minister Abbas Salehi, who is in Russia to attend events marking the Days of Iranian Culture and the International Forum of United Cultures, and to hold talks with his Russian counterpart, stressed the need to activate the potential for expanding cultural cooperation between Tehran and Moscow.

During his visit, Salehi met with Alexander Turgayev, rector of Saint Petersburg State Institute of Culture. Turgayev said the university, which was founded in 1918, has trained numerous prominent figures in Russian culture and arts. He described Iran's culture, art and civilization as very rich and recalled becoming familiar with Iranian cinema during his childhood after watching The Leopard of Mazandaran, saying he has developed a strong interest in Iranian culture and civilization.

Turgayev also noted that the university currently teaches six foreign languages and reiterated its interest in establishing a Persian language department. Salehi welcomed the proposal and instructed Iran's cultural attaché in Russia to pursue the establishment of the Persian language department in coordination with the Russian side.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Days of Iranian Culture and the International Forum of United Cultures, which Salehi is attending in Russia. The discussions are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral cultural ties between Iran and Russia.

According to Mehr News, the Iranian culture minister emphasized the importance of activating the potential for cultural cooperation between the two countries, and the Russian side expressed a strong interest in expanding academic and cultural exchanges, particularly in the field of Persian language education.