Moscow is one of the largest cultural centers of the world. It features a saturated network of theatres, concert halls, museums, exhibition halls and other cultural and enlightening institutions.

International and interregional cooperation.

One of the most important directions of the activity of the Department of culture of the city of Moscow is developing international and interregional cultural connections. In the civilized world community culture influences the general tone of international contacts, because it is an instrument «above barriers» and «borders». The Government of Moscow, when concluding Agreements regarding economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation with foreign countries and administrations of regions of Russia, delegates authority to the department of culture to accomplish and organize additional events toward collaboration with foreign countries and regions of Russia in the field of culture. The Department of Culture and its regional affiliates carry out the collaboration with foreign countries, regions and countries of CIS and the Baltic states. Promoting cultural cooperation with foreign cities and regions of Russian by means of organizing cultural programs within the framework of the Days of Moscow in regions of Russia and cities of the world and Days of regions of Russia and cities of the world in Moscow are principal directions of foreign and interregional connections.

Within the framework of the Agreements signed by the Government of Moscow and leaders of foreign countries and regions of Russia, long-term programs are worked out and joint events are organized.
In 2009 more than 15 large-scale events were held in Moscow, in regions of Russia and abroad. 7 contractual documents regarding cooperation in the field of culture were signed.
The special place in accomplishing international and interregional programs belongs to projects connected with the conducting Days of culture of Moscow in cities and regions of Russian as abroad as well and vice versa.
The Department of Culture in 2009 organized and carried out cultural programs in the Yaroslavl region, the Republic of Buryatiya, capital of Kazakhstan, which Astana is.
In its turn, when conducting Days of regions and cities in 2009 as Days of foreign countries in Moscow, city dwellers got acquainted with cultural achievements of Bulgaria, the Republic of Karelia, the Republic of Belarus, and the Tambov region. In total in 2009 7 cultural programs within the framework of major city actions were organized and held.
For the purpose of organizing cultural cooperation in 2009 treaties were signed with the heads of culture authorities of the Volgograd region, the republic of Karelia, the city of Astana, the city of Dusseldorf, the mayor’s office of Ulan-Bator, the Senate of Berlin, the Mayor’s office of Paris; in which joint projects in the sphere of artistic education and esthetical upbringing, museum and exhibition, theatrical and concert types of activity found their reflection. By the present time the Department of Culture has concluded 30 agreements regarding cooperation in the field of culture of interregional and international nature. According to the protocols about mutual activity under the auspices of the Department of Culture a number of programs in regions of Russia and in foreign countries have been organized. Within the framework of cultural cooperation in 2009 Moscow culture was introduced in the republic of Karelia, Belarus, in Vienna,
in Riga, in Dusseldorf as in other cities of the world as well.

In its turn Muscovites had an opportunity to get acquainted with creative work of Munich Chamber choir, a violinist from Ecuador, musicians from Dusseldorf.
The department promotes international and interregional exhibition activity. For the purpose of expanding the sphere of cultural interaction between Moscow and regional and foreign partners the following exhibitions were displayed in 2009:
 — «All fine is gifted by Gods» by Goethe-museum from Dьsseldorf in the State Museums of Fine Arts named after A.S. Pushkin;
 — «Historical parallels. Moscow-Munich 1812-1914 years.» of Museum Association «Museum of Moscow» in Bavaria;
 — a jubilee exhibition of M. Kulumbegov (the Republic of the South Osetiya) in Moscow State Exhibition Hall «New Manezh».