VITEBSK, 14 July (BelTA) – Russia treasures the International Arts Festival Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk and the Belarusian-Russian cultural cooperation, Culture Minister of Russia Alexander Avdeyev told reporters in Vitebsk, BelTA has learned. “We brought and will bring the most outstanding Russian cultural figures to the festival,” Alexander Avdeyev said and added that for this purpose he is eager to ask for more financing from the Finance Ministry. “The common goal of Belarus and Russia is to strengthen the single cultural space of the Union State,” Alexander Avdeyev stressed. “Culture is beyond politics,” the minister said when asked why the President of Russia did not send a greeting to the participants and guests of the festival for the first time in its history. Russia’s greeting came with the best Russian bands and singers, according to Alexander Avdeyev. He also shared his impressions of the stroll across the city of Vitebsk. “I fell in love with this city. It is very cosy and is created for people. There is no aggressive architecture in Vitebsk. It is clean and beautiful,” the minister was unable to hide his admiration.

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