Iran, Ukraine to expand cultural relations

TEHRAN,May 7(MNA) -- Minister of Culture of Ukraine Mykhailo Kulyniak met with Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Hosseini here on Saturday where both stressed on expansion of art and cultural relations. Both counterparts signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), based on which Iran and Ukraine will be increasing their collaboration on art, theater, and cinema. Hosseini offered to hold Iran’s cultural week in Ukraine and stressed that Iran is also ready to host cultural week of Ukraine. He regarded the ongoing Tehran International Book Fair a great cultural event in the country and invited Minister Kulyniak to pay a visit to the fair in the coming days. Iran’s cinema enjoys a high status in the world, Hosseini said, adding that Iran is also ready to hold film week in Ukraine. Hosseini next referred to Isfahan, which has been named sister city with Kharkov, the second-largest city of Ukraine, and regarded it a good opportunity to boost cultural relations. This gives the artists of both cities a good chance to meet and exchange views and skills, he added. Kulyniak who is visiting Iran for the first time expressed hope that the MOU will both develop relations and help achieve goals. Both countries have great historical sites and monuments, being the pride of both nations, and need to be introduced to the people, he added.