"Strong Region for Strong Partnerships": creative industries forum opens at the National Centre RUSSIA in Krasnoyarsk
"Russian Creative Week — Siberia" has opened at the National Centre RUSSIA in Krasnoyarsk. For the sixth time, the Krasnoyarsk Territory has become a nationwide platform for sharing the best practices of Siberian regions in developing the creative economy. This year's theme is "Strong Region for Strong Partnerships". Discussions focus on people as creators and the key actors in the creative economy, as well as the integration of creative industries into manufacturing, education and urban development. Over two days, the National Centre RUSSIA will host discussion, exposition and business spaces.
"In the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the contribution of creative industries has grown to 140 billion roubles a year. These are figures that cannot be disputed. It is wonderful to see creative industries developing here. People can see it for themselves: architecture, advertising and marketing, gastronomy, fashion and design, cinema and animation. The Territory has achievements in all these areas that are recognised at the federal level," said Sergei Novikov, Chief of the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects.
The key event of the forum was the plenary session "400 Years of Leadership. The Krasnoyarsk Territory as the Architect of the New Economy of Siberia and Eastern Russia". Governor of the Krasnoyarsk Territory Mikhail Kotyukov was among the speakers, journalist Ernest Mackevicius moderated the discussion, and representatives of federal and regional authorities and the business community took part.
"The Krasnoyarsk Territory has created strong starting conditions for entrepreneurs in the creative industries, and this experience has been highly rated at the federal level. But the economy is growing, and entrepreneurs must keep pace. It is important for us to scale up support measures and forms of cooperation in order to integrate the creative component into core industries. Today, this sector accounts for 4% of the Territory's GRP — a significant figure against the background of the industries that shape the region's economic potential. But we cannot stop there: the nationwide target is 6%," said Mikhail Kotyukov.
During the plenary session, participants discussed the relationship between the creative economy and the real sector, the development of smaller territories, attracting engineers, researchers and technologists, creating a sustainable environment for creative businesses in municipalities, and technological leadership in the industry.
"Creative industries represent a new type of economy. This is not only about culture and creativity, but also about the opportunity to earn money, create new products and make regions more economically effective. It is important to understand what social changes this industry brings, what values it conveys and how it changes communities. The creative economy has many dimensions that can be measured: social, managerial, spatial, human resources and scientific. That is why it is important to take all these layers into account," noted Marina Mongush, President of the autonomous non-profit organisation Creative Economy.
The business programme of "Russian Creative Week — Siberia" includes more than 50 events: sessions, case discussions, master lectures, visionary dialogues and intellectual stand-ups, a practical intensive programme for creative entrepreneurs, and project pitches by finalists in the "Siberian Brands" contest for emerging designers. Around 1,000 people from more than 20 regions of the country are taking part, including representatives of creative businesses and corporations, federal and regional authorities, development institutions, science and education. The sessions are divided among four platforms: "Business", "Territories of Responsibility", "People" and "Collaborations 400".
Irina Guseva, Co-Chair of the All-Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government, presented approaches to integrating creative industries into the work of municipal teams: "Creative industries help turn resources into jobs, new projects and a recognisable image for a territory. As part of the Association's 'Municipal Dialogue' project, we show teams how to build this work together with residents and businesses. Practice shows that the strongest initiatives emerge where the interests of residents, local authorities and entrepreneurs intersect. Our task is to provide municipalities with clear tools and a legal framework so that projects can be scaled up systematically."
All the events are united by the theme "Strong Region for Strong Partnerships". The festival programme includes cultural and educational events: concerts, expositions, guided tours and creative meetings.
"Russian Creative Week — Siberia" is being held on 23 and 24 September at the National Centre RUSSIA in Krasnoyarsk. The partner is the All-Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government. The forum is organised by the Unified Centre for the Creative Economy, the autonomous non-profit organisation Creative Economy, and the Siberian Institute for the Development of Creative Industries. The event is supported by the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, the Government of the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Administration of the Governor of the Krasnoyarsk Territory.
