In 2018 the Italian Republic takes part in the VII St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum in the honorary status of a Guest State.
Cinema is one of key topic of the Forum. Works of supreme professionals of Russian and Italian cinematograph that share the common artistic vision and the affinity of cultural traditions have been included in the treasure-house of the world cinematic art. Vivid, lively and emotional characters, laconic and expressive language of Italian cinematograph have always been understood and loved by millions of the Russian viewers.
It is the first time the Russian News Agency TASS introduces the works of its photojournalists, which have never been presented to a wide audience before. The main characters of the works are the celebrities of Italian and Russian cinematography and outstanding directors: Giulietta Masina and Sergey Bondarchuk, Gina Lollobrigida and Tatyana Samoilova, Luchino Visconti and Mikhail Kalatozov, Sophia Loren and Georgy Aleksandrov, Claudia Cardinale and Grigory Chukhray, Marcello Mastroianni and Nikita Mikhalkov, Federico Fellini and Irina Alferova, Adriano Celentano and Rolan Bykov, Oleg Yankovsky and many others. Participants and guests of the Forum will see iconic actors adored by many generations, not only on sets or at festivals, but during friendly meetings and even in the stands of the Parliament.
