Iran and Russia have agreed to expand cultural cooperation, including joint film production, following a meeting between their culture ministers in St. Petersburg.
Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi met Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova on September 27 during Iran’s Cultural Week in Russia.
The talks focused on expanding cooperation in cinema, performing arts, music, visual arts and other cultural fields. The two sides also held a meeting of their Joint Cultural Committee.
The meeting resulted in a memorandum of understanding on joint film production. Salehi said the agreement establishes a framework for future cooperation, including production, investment and the distribution of joint projects.
Lyubimova said the agreement would allow filmmakers from both countries to create projects together and present them internationally.
The agreement follows the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed by the Iranian and Russian presidents in January 2025. The latest memorandum provides a specific framework for cooperation in the film sector.
Iran’s Cultural Week includes performances by Iranian artists, visual arts exhibitions, specialized cultural sessions and film screenings. Events are taking place in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan and Astrakhan.
Lyubimova said Russian audiences were looking forward to the Iranian cultural program. She also highlighted opportunities for stronger cooperation in cinema and other artistic fields.
During his visit, Salehi also met Alexander Turgaev, rector of St. Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts. The two sides discussed the possible establishment of a Persian-language program at the university.
Turgaev expressed interest in developing Persian-language education and highlighted the university’s long history of training figures in Russian culture and the arts. Salehi asked Iran’s cultural adviser in Russia to follow up on the proposal.
Salehi also participated in the 12th International Forum of United Cultures in St. Petersburg. The forum, held from September 24 to 26, brought together representatives from more than 50 countries, with cultural cooperation among its main themes.
The latest agreements add a new institutional framework to longstanding cultural exchanges between Iran and Russia, particularly in cinema, education and the performing arts.