PREVIEW - Seventh International Cultural Forum Opens In St. Petersburg On Thursday

ST. PETERSBURG (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th November, 2018) The 7th International Cultural Forum will take place in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on November 15-17, gathering culture experts and celebrities from all over the world under one roof.

The forum has been recognized as a global event, annually attracting thousands of professionals, including theater, opera and ballet stars; renowned directors and musicians; public figures; and representatives of governments and business and academic communities.

The forum is divided into three separate platforms where events, roundtables and discussions will be taking place at the same time. A large-scale business program will interest specialists from different areas of culture. The forum's festival program will entice both residents and guests of St. Petersburg with premiers and exhibitions. The business venue, on the other hand, will create conditions suitable for implementing projects and signing cultural agreements.

The forum has continued to gain momentum over the years. According to the organizers, this year's event has expanded its program and attracted more experts and high ranking guests.

The Open Lecture Room "Culture 2.0" venue has been a special project being worked on by the forum that focuses on the use of technology in culture. During the forum, this venue will host an intellectual marathon with well-known speakers.

Italy and Qatar have received the status of Honorary Guest of the Forum. They will present an extensive program, including discussions and cultural events involving celebrities in the world of art and culture.

Leading researchers on the cultural ties between Italy and Russia will speak at a conference entitled "Russia-Italy: A Dialog of Cultures" where they will discuss successful cooperation in this field such as film making, literature and architecture.

According to the event organizers, Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities Alberto Bonisoli is expected to attend several panels as well as an exhibit and concert in St. Petersburg's Hermitage Theater on Thursday.

The musical exhibition "Prodigious Movement. The magic of ancient pianos. Paisiello and Cimarosa at the Court of Catherine II," to be hosted by the Hermitage Museum during the forum, will introduce the public to a little-known aspect of the origins of the cultural relationship between Russia and Italy.

Key events of the "Qatar as a Guest Country of the 7th Saint Petersburg International Cultural Forum" program will include an exhibition called "Qatar Contemporary: Art and Photography," which will showcase the country's rapid social and urban transformation through the eyes of talented emerging artists, both local and foreign, residing in Qatar.

Despite the strain in Russian-EU relations, the forum will be attended by high-profile guests from several European countries, including Germany and France.

Qatari government and business representatives, leaders of the academic and museum communities also plan to discuss the results of the 2018 cross-cultural year between Qatar and Russia.

Additionally, the audience at the forum will be treated to a performance of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, which will introduce modern symphonic music of Arab peoples.