TEHRAN – Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Abbas Salehi said Russia’s Cultural Week in Iran has provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen Tehran-Moscow relations.
Speaking in a joint press conference with his visiting Russian counterpart Olga Borisovna Lyubimova, Salehi said Russia is not merely a neighbor.
The two countries have established extensive ties especially in the fields of culture and literature. 
Many Iranians have grown up with the works and ideas of dozens, even hundreds, of renowned Russian cultural and literary figures, he said.
Heading a high-ranking cultural delegation, Lyubimova arrived in Tehran on Tuesday to attend Russia’s Cultural Week in Iran and to hold bilateral talks with Iranian cultural officials.
The opening ceremony of the event took place underway at Vahdat Hall, where the culture ministers of Iran and Russia attended a joint news conference.
The event features more than 110 prominent Russian artists across various fields including music, film, visual arts participating alongside an official delegation and cultural committee totaling over 130 people.
The cultural exchange is part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by Iran and Russia in January 2025, which underscores the expansion of cultural and artistic cooperation.
At their luncheon on Tuesday, Salehi said Iran seeks to broaden cultural and artistic cooperation with Russia, especially in response to Western efforts to portray an unfavorable image of the two nations.
He said a joint media committee has been formed by the two countries that should help strengthen bilateral cooperation.
“Both Iran and Russia are under media attack. Western outlets are working hard to portray us both in a negative light,” the Iranian minister said.
Salehi said, “There are significant opportunities in our cultural relations. We have made good progress in some areas, and in others, we can pursue far deeper cooperation.”
He said Iran–Russia cultural ties are deep, continuous, and historical, and we expect them to widen further. 
“As neighbors, our countries share a long heritage, but in Iran, the most vivid image of Russia is one of literature, culture, and the arts.”
Salehi noted that culture and art form a lasting bridge between the two countries, one upon which they can expand political and economic cooperation as part of their newly signed 25-year cooperation agreement.
“One of the key outcomes of Russia’s Cultural Week in Iran should be figuring out how to strengthen this bridge. Only a small fraction of the rich possibilities for cultural and artistic exchange have been realized so far,” Salehi said.
Lyubimova, for his part, highlighted the many areas for joint artistic and cultural projects.
 “We are very pleased that our BRICS-related activities have increased. This is truly wonderful,” she said.
“The geographic positions and capabilities of our two countries complement each other. Joint productions by Iranian and Russian directors and producers will benefit both economies,” she added.
She said while Russia’s Cultural Week unfolds in Iran, Iranian works are being shown in Russia, and that this year alone, several theatrical productions inspired by Molana Jalaledin Balkhi are onstage there.