Islamabad: The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Pakistan, Albert P. Khorev, met with Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, on Wednesday to explore opportunities for enhancing cultural cooperation between Pakistan and Russia.

According to Press Information Department, Minister Khichi praised the enduring cultural relations between the two countries and emphasized the importance of increasing people-to-people exchanges through art, music, film, and heritage initiatives. He revealed that Russian artists, musicians, and dancers have been invited to showcase their talents in Pakistan, with premier cultural institutions like Lok Virsa and the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) prepared to host these activities.

Khichi mentioned the pending Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is expected to be finalized after a visit from the Prime Minister, would facilitate joint exhibitions and cultural showcases celebrating Pakistan-Russia relations. He also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to organize cultural weeks with friendly countries, as directed by the Prime Minister.

Ambassador Khorev invited Minister Khichi to Russia’s National Day celebrations in Islamabad and announced that the Niftysphere Institute of Arts and Design would display Russian costumes during the event. He acknowledged the contributions of Usman Shah, Advisor to the Federal Minister for Cultural Affairs, in promoting cultural ties.

The Ambassador expressed interest in expanding cultural collaboration, noting that Russian films have been dubbed into Urdu and proposed special screenings in Pakistan. He suggested inviting Russian directors for discussions post-screenings to enhance cultural understanding.

Furthermore, Khorev proposed a “Russian Week” in Pakistan to feature films and cultural activities representing both nations’ heritages. He stressed the need for formal agreements to institutionalize cultural cooperation and expressed interest in conducting activities at PNCA to foster engagement among artists and cultural representatives.

The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to deepening cultural relations and promoting mutual understanding through arts and heritage collaboration.