The forum's aim is to popularize Russian and Japanese culture in the world of growing globalization and expand the geography of contacts. The Russian Seasons in Japan and Japanese Seasons in Russia have been traditionally held since 2002. Two years ago the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theaters, the Taganka Theater and Pyotr Fomenko's Studio toured Japan. Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac staged by Tadashi Suzuki, Kabuki and No performances were presented in Russia. "Houses were full. Cyrano de Bergerac charmed the audience. These contacts keep Muscovites' interest in Japanese tours growing," said Moscow Deputy Mayor Valery Shantsev.
"Moscow and Japan start cooperating more closely. 2004 saw intensive cultural contacts and 2005 and the following years imply even closer cooperation," head of the Russian federal agency for culture and cinematography Mikhail Shvydkoi stressed at the forum. William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night staged by the International Confederation of Theater Unions, Nikolai Gogol's Viy (the Pushkin Moscow Drama Theater) and The Inspector (the Pushkin St. Petersburg Drama Theater) and Maxim Gorky's play The Lower Depths (Oleg Tabakov's theater-studio) were presented at the Russian Seasons in Japan this year.
"We have big joint plans for 2005. Japanese modern dancing ensembles will arrive. Tadashi Suzuki is expected to present the performance Dionysus in St. Petersburg Alexander Theater and Anton Chekhov's Ivanov. An exposition of prominent Japanese architect Arata Isozaki will be held. In 2006 Japan will host a festival of Russian culture," Mikhail Shvydkoi reported.
Oleg Tabakov, artistic director of the Chekhov Moscow Art Academic Theater (MKhAT) suggested that the Japanese should get acquainted with the experience of the Russian theater school. "The format may be different. Russian theater teaches can give master-classes for Japanese actors and we can organize a special studio," he said. Modern Japanese literature is highly popular in Russia because it is a good way to get to know modern Japanese people, Mr. Tabakov added.
Japanese chief delegate, chairman of the Japan Foundation of Regional Art Activities Yasuhiko Endo proposed to form a system letting young Japanese and Russian directors and actors practice and work in Moscow and Tokyo. He is interested in a performance with both Russian and Japanese actors involved. "Meeting Russian actors, I saw the unique spiritual legacy of Russia. We should get it over to Japanese youth," Mr. Endo said.
The following conclusion was made at the discussion of theater links - Russia and Japan need an education program for theater workers. The Russian federal agency for culture and cinematography is ready to sponsor the exchange events.
A number of Japanese companies will finance the construction of buildings designed by Japanese architects in Moscow. The federal agency for culture and cinematography proposed to hold a meeting of young actors from Russia and Japan. Exhibitions of Moscow photographers in Japans and seminars of fiction translators are being planned.
Russian-Japanese cinematographic links should be revived. "Formerly, filmmakers of both countries boasted close relations. Japanese movies were shown in the Soviet Union and Soviet films were widely presented in Japan. The Soviet-Japanese movie Dersu Uzala shot by the great director Kurosawa is a remarkable film with a very profound understanding of the Russian soul. It won an Oscar," said Mosfilm head, director and producer Karen Shakhnazarov.
Russia and Japan do not cooperate in the sphere of cinematography today. Japanese films are shown in the regions or on TV. "Let us take all effort to present Japanese movies in Russia and vice versa. Such events should run for 3-4 weeks a year and should me made more global," Mr. Shakhnazarov said. The federal agency for culture and cinematography is ready to show 5-6 new Japanese movies and a collection of Russian films can be presented in Japan in 2006, Mikhail Shvydkoi said.
"The development of cultural links is a most effective way of Russian-Japanese rapprochement. Muscovites ask us to expand these contacts," Valery Shantsev concluded.
