PJSC Gazprom's creative industries projects are presented at the Russian Industrialist Forum
The XVIII International Forum-Exhibition Russian Industrialist took place from November 26 to November 28 at the Expoforum Exhibition and Convention Center. The event included a thematic session “Increasing the Contribution of Creative Industries to the Development of the Economy and Industrial Potential of Russian Regions”, which was attended by Alexander Zhuravsky, Deputy Head of the Presidential Department for Public Projects, Boris Piotrovsky, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg, Roman Karmanov, General Director of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives, and Katerina Cherkes-zade, Director of the Center for Creative Economy Development of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, The session was moderated by Denis Kravchenko, First Deputy Chairman of the RF State Duma Committee on Economic Policy.
The discussion focused on the norms of application of the Federal Law “On the Development of Creative (Creative) Industries in the Russian Federation” coming into force and the implementation of best practices in the regions of the Russian Federation. The participants noted the leading role of St. Petersburg in the development of the creative industry.
Elena Davydova, General Director of the Gazprom Cultural Initiatives Foundation, presented Gazprom's key projects in the field of historical and cultural heritage preservation and urban environment development, the implementation of which is aimed at creating the conditions necessary for the growth of St. Petersburg's creative economy. Among them are unique restoration projects implemented jointly with the largest cultural institutions of St. Petersburg and aimed at preserving the Leningrad restoration school and supporting the restoration business. The opening of the Chinese Palace in Oranienbaum, the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, the Lyon Hall and eight halls of the Zubov wing of the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo, and the halls of the Peter the Great Gallery in the Hermitage after a large-scale restoration allows museums to create new tourist routes in historical spaces.
Public spaces are becoming new points of attraction in the city and actively developing around the objects of the new tourist geography in the Bolshaya Lakhta area, from Gazprom Arena to Lakhta Center. In addition, the comprehensive development of the urban improvement program forms an environment for the development of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as a tourism cluster.
Gazprom's direct contribution to creative industries is the development of a new city event brand, 1703 Saint Petersburg Art Fair, which has been held for three years as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. 1703 Fair, which includes a year-round educational lecture course for general audience, special city projects and a parallel exhibition program, has become the largest phenomenon of its kind, a platform for dialogue of the professional community.
Finally, Gazprom's multifunctional project Friends of St. Petersburg, launched in 2020, became the most important social project aimed primarily at creative young people. Friends of St. Petersburg includes six sections, whose participants together with St. Petersburg universities, cultural institutions and representatives of the creative community create and implement their projects in urban spaces. You can see them during the annual city festival Friends of St. Petersburg, which includes free tours, art mediations, and workshops for adults and children.
«Gazprom has been working to support and develop creative industries long before the legislative framework was formed. We implement the „Develop by Preserving“ principle, and our company's experience in preserving historical and cultural heritage allows us to create a visible multiplier effect. Through all its activities Gazprom strives to contribute to St. Petersburg's leadership in creative industries development,» emphasized Elena Davydova.
During the session, supporting the St. Petersburg Vice-Governor point on the need for industry and culture to work together, the Gazprom Cultural Initiatives Foundation came up with the idea of organizing a forum for representatives of creative industries on the basis of the Friends of St. Petersburg festival. The initiative was supported by the participants of the discussion: representatives of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the Government of St. Petersburg, heads of creative agencies and cultural organizations.
