SPbU Rector Nikolay Kropachev’s welcoming speech at International Cultural Forum — 2017
Each year sees hundreds fascinating and momentous events worldwide: festivals, exhibitions, conferences that are difficult to underestimate. However, the International Cultural Forum has neither rivals nor equals. This year, I am responsible, once again, to chair the section Education, and the programme of the section is developed by the top universities, museums, and government of St Petersburg and other regions.
Among a great many proposals and suggestions we receive to include into the programme, we choose those that can arouse interest in the academic community, our global partners and St Petersburg. Throughout the years, the section Education has undergone some changes, including those in what it primarily focuses on. I am pleased to tell that today our events are attracting more and more young people and students.
In 2017, Japan has received a status of the guest-country, and the programme of the Education section features the topics related to our cultural, academic and spiritual ties. The rectors of both Russian and Japanese universities, writers, museum workers and public figures will take part in the panel discussions, conferences, and round-tables. It also features concerts, workshops, a poetic marathon and a debate tournament for young people. Finally, our historians developed unique “Museum Itineraries” across St Petersburg and Leningrad region to help our guests discover our city.
I hope that the Forum will integrate all the members of the ICF-2017 into our unique culture in St Petersburg, and I wish you every success.