Representatives of leading cultural institutions, charitable foundations, businesses and the expert community gathered in the museum’s Ceremonial Vestibule. The central theme of the discussion was the role of patronage in preserving cultural heritage and developing the contemporary cultural landscape. The press conference took place in a space where the theme of patronage found tangible expression: participants were shown exhibits that have joined the collection of the State Historical Museum thanks to the support of benefactors.

Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, addressed a welcome message to the participants:

“Of particular importance in this work is the cooperation between the state, the creative community and socially responsible business. It is precisely the consolidation of efforts that allows the industry to develop on a qualitatively new level.

I am confident that the federal platform established by the Association of Grant-Making Organisations “Forum Donorov”, which brings together the creative community and donors, will serve as an impetus for forming partnerships and implementing joint projects.”

The forum is organised by the Association of Grant-Making Organisations ‘Donors’ Forum’, with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives. Timed to coincide with National Patron and Charity Day, it brings together representatives of culture, business, government and the non-profit sector.

Opening the press conference, Alexandra Boldyreva, Executive Director of the Association of Grant-Making Organisations ‘Donors’ Forum’, noted:

“Today, the preservation of cultural heritage is becoming a responsibility not only for the state, but also for patrons and business. The #PatronsDay forum-festival creates a space in which such partnerships become systematic practice and deliver lasting results. We are seeing growing interest from corporate foundations and patrons in long-term partnerships with cultural institutions aimed at preserving and developing significant projects. Our task is to showcase effective practices and create the conditions for scaling them up.”

Alexei Levykin, Director General of the State Historical Museum, emphasised:

‘The significance of today’s event – the opening of the 2nd Patron’s Day Forum and Festival – lies not only in offering a well-deserved thank you to our patrons, but also in gradually changing society’s attitude towards the very concept of “wealth”. The word “rich” is still perceived by many of us as synonymous with something negative, even immoral. Yet it was thanks to numerous wealthy merchants, industrialists and factory owners that art galleries appeared in Russia, museum collections grew, the theatre flourished, and hospitals and orphanages were established. Charity and patronage have deep roots in Russia, while kindness and compassion are defining values of Russian society. I believe that the need to establish an official Patron’s Day in Russia is long overdue. I hope that through our joint efforts this initiative will be realised.’

“Those who possess power and wealth must live in such a way that others will forgive them for it” – these words belong to His Serene Highness Prince Mikhail Semyonovich Vorontsov, one of the wealthiest men in the Russian Empire, godson of Catherine the Great and “the builder of Novorossiya”. I believe that these words have lost none of their relevance and could serve as a motto for those who open their hearts to the great mission of philanthropy.

Svetlana Datsenko, adviser to the Director General of the State Hermitage Museum, noted:

‘The #PatronDay forum-festival is a wonderful platform for the exchange of views between representatives of the cultural and business communities. The key to successful cooperation lies in trust and mutual respect between partners. Both business and culture work for the benefit of society, and the principal aim of this important work is, without doubt, enlightenment.’

The theme of the strategic role of philanthropy was taken up by Irina Efremova-Gart, Director of Sustainable Development at Mobius Technologies and Chair of the Board of the Association of Grantmaking Organisations ‘Donors’ Forum’:

“The true measure of philanthropy lies not in the sums invested, but in the vitality of its ideas and the scale of the changes they set in motion within culture and science.

“The Donors Forum sees its mission as supporting this continuity through the systematisation, analysis and dissemination of accumulated experience. When philanthropy is grounded in deep expertise, it ceases to be a one-off act of charity and becomes strategic creation, capable of shaping an environment resilient to any external challenge.”

Vadim Duda, Director General of the Russian State Library, noted:

“And today we can say with pride that our financial position is sound, there is no budget deficit, we are successfully addressing our current tasks and investing in the library’s development.

Yet realising large-scale projects requires not only money, but above all vision, experience, resources and the support of patrons. A true investor thinks rather differently. His thoughts turn not to a direct return on investment, but to the future.

That is precisely why it is so important to seek new forms of partnership with society, business and the authorities. Only together can we preserve our cultural heritage and make it accessible to everyone”.

On the role of business in cultural initiatives, Zakhar Azarov, Advisor to the CEO for Sustainable Development at Severstal, remarked: “If we look back at history, much of the world’s cultural heritage and the development of its institutions came about precisely thanks to private philanthropy. Both in Russia and abroad there are numerous examples of industrialists and entrepreneurs acting as patrons of the arts. Today, too, leaders of responsible business frequently become the initiators and driving forces behind significant social and cultural change. For Severstal, supporting culture and the arts is a long-standing charitable priority, one that we successfully pursue in partnership with the state, civil society, the non-profit sector and the media. Thanks to this, millions of people across the country are able to witness the most outstanding cultural events.”

Representatives of museums and libraries noted that long-term collaboration with patrons makes it possible not only to preserve heritage but also to develop infrastructure, broaden audiences and introduce new ways of working, including educational programmes, digital projects and exhibition initiatives. Such an approach ensures the sustainable development of the cultural landscape, making it more open and accessible to different generations.

The #PatronDay forum-festival will bring together business, cultural and educational programmes. This year’s festival programme encompasses events in more than 10 Russian regions. They will take place in Moscow, Volgograd, Smolensk, Magnitogorsk, Sochi and other cities across Russia. Museums, theatres, libraries and educational institutions nationwide are hosting special events, presenting completed projects and sharing best practices for working with patrons.

The programme features events at the venues of leading cultural institutions, including the State Hermitage Museum, the Russian State Library, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation and others.

The forum-festival is dedicated to developing private support for culture and the arts, building lasting partnerships and championing significant cultural initiatives.

At the close of the press conference, the participants invited the professional community and the wider public to join the forum’s events, emphasising that the future of culture is being shaped today through collaboration, responsibility and a willingness to invest in our shared cultural heritage.

The 2nd #PatronDay Forum-Festival is organised with the support of SUEK and Severstal.