MOSCOW (IRNA) — 
Russian painter Maria Zenkova has lauded Iran’s art and cultural heritage.
Speaking on the sidelines of “The Role of Friendship” festival here, Zenkova said she became interested in Iranian art after getting familiar with the country’s culture.
The painter, whose artwork on Martyr Ebrahim Raisi had been put on display in the festival, said she tried to depict an impressive image of the late Iranian president. 
Raisi was the president of Iran which makes him an important figure, she said.
Iran’s Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali who paid a visit to the event praised the artist.
Over 200 works are being showcased in the month-long exhibition that kicked off on August 14 at the Academy of Watercolor and Fine Arts in Moscow.
The selective works are to be on display in Iran in the coming weeks.
Head of the International Cooperation Division at Moscow City Tourism Committee Bulat Nurmukhanov says Iranian tourists are interested in visiting Russia’s cultural and historical sites. 
The mechanism for canceling group visas between Iran and Russia was put into effect in August 2023. Nurmukhanov said Iranian tourists can benefit from electronic visas while visiting Russia.
In March 2023, Minister of Economic Development of Russia Maxim Reshetnikov announced that Russia and Iran planned to implement their agreement on visa-free group tourist travel between the two countries.