SPIEF 2025: Theater and Economics—On the Same Stage

As part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, a panel discussion titled "Going on Tour: The Interconnection of Culture and Economics" took place, featuring Evgenii Malygin, General Director of the St. Petersburg Opera.

Participants discussed how culture influences the economy, the opportunities presented by international touring collaborations amid new challenges, and how to maintain the quality of cultural products under sanctions.

Among the speakers were:

• Boris Piotrovsky, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg;

• Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation;

• Adrian Fadeev, Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Theatre Ballet Company;

• Yulia Strizhak, Director of the Fyodor Chaliapin Music Theater;

• Hans-Joachim Frey, Artistic Director of the Talent and Success Foundation;

• Evgenii Malygin, Director of the St. Petersburg Opera Theater.

The discussion was moderated by Alexander Malich, Director of the Alexandrinsky Theatre.

Special attention was given to finding new partners, the logistics of tours, collaboration with the business community, and the role of culture in fostering a creative and productive environment for cities and the country as a whole.