During their meeting Vladislav Surkov and Governor of the Kaluga Region Anatoly Artamonov discussed the establishment in Kaluga of one of the nation's first cultural development centres. The idea for creating cultural development centres in medium and small cities of Russia was backed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at the beginning of August. The Ministry of Culture was instructed to develop the format for these centres. They are intended to serve as institutions of additional education in contemporary art. The main goal of the centres is to form a creative environment, teach modern genres, develop artistic techniques, hold exhibitions and spread new forms of culture. Both domestic and foreign instructors will be invited to teach at the centres. The latest achievements in modern architecture are planned to be used in the building of the centre in Kaluga. Its construction will be funded by federal and local budgets and by private investment.
During his working visit, Surkov inspected the site where the regional government plans to build a monument to Grand Prince of Moscow and all Rus Ivan III the Great. The idea was proposed by the public and the monument is already being designed. The final decision on the location of the monument will be coordinated with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
Surkov also visited the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos (the Kaluga Monastery of the Holy Dormition) and spoke with Father Superior Arhimandrite Tikhon and other clergy members. Surkov emphasised that the government will do everything it can to help strengthen the foundations of Russian Orthodox culture.
Surkov was accompanied during his trip by film director and producer Fyodor Bondarchyuk, Editor-in-Chief of the magazine Expert and Director of the Institute of Public Projects Valery Fadeyev and other public figures.
