Why it matters:
It is the first time Russia's Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra comes to Iran and holds performance in Iran. The event underscores the deepening cultural diplomacy between Tehran and Moscow, as both countries expand soft-power cooperation.
The big picture:
At a joint press conference, Alexey Dedov, Russian Ambassador to Iran and Hossein Divsalar, Deputy Head of Iran's Islamic Culture and Relations Organization for Scientific and Cultural Cooperation, outlined the multi-day cultural agenda. The Russian Minister of Culture will attend alongside a 130-member high-level delegation.
What they’re saying:
Divsalar called the initiative “unprecedented in scale,” noting its goal to foster long-term cultural exchange between Iran and Russia through music, film, and heritage arts.
Key points:
- Performances by Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra have been reproduced by Iranian groups in Iran.
- Russian Film Week will screen several titles, including Forget-Me-Not, Agteewa, The Unlisted, Kuzya the Little House Guardian, and The Linnet.
- The famed Lezginka dance troupe will take the stage in multiple cities.
- Visual arts and handicraft exhibitions will run at the Niavaran Cultural Center in Tehran.
Go deeper:
The Russian Cultural Week marks one of the most extensive bilateral cultural programs in recent years. For Iran, it offers both symbolic and strategic value—highlighting alignment with Moscow while amplifying cultural diplomacy at a time of continued Western sanctions.
Iran-Russia concluded comprehensive strategice agreement.
Mojtaba Darabi
