Year 2010: France — Russia

The year 2010 has been declared the Year of France in Russia and the Year of Russia in France. This offers a unique opportunity to discover and learn more about the history, culture, economy and modern life in both countries, and aims to expand the range of burning issues in the dialogue between the two countries, strengthen historical bonds and foster the French-Russian relationship in order to facilitate the resolution of problems both countries will have to deal with in the future.

The Year of France in Russia acquires particular importance due to numerous events which will take place in two countries at the same time. They range from “Holy Russia” exhibition in the Louvre to the display of the Musée Picasso masterpieces in Russia; from the national Russian exhibition in the Grand Palais to the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg; from “Amazing Travellers” literary festival in Saint-Malo to the journey of the French writers on Trans-Siberian express train. Members of cultural and intellectual elite, representatives of businesses, as well as craftsmen involved in traditional handicrafts will have an opportunity to meet face-to-face and share their opinions on the major issues in order to get deeper insights about each other. School and university students as well as young researchers will also take an active part in joint events like school chess championships or projects like launching a picosatellite.

The Year of France in Russia is to be replete with mutual political visits, including summit meetings. An account of technological advancements and their practical application is sure to attract the attention of the younger generation both in Russia and in France. As well as that, prospects of economic cooperation aimed at sustainable development will be expounded... People of different generations, the Russians and the French, and everyone taking part in the joint scientific and cultural events will have a perfect opportunity to tell about themselves, just talk and share their joys and concerns — in a word, to jointly put this grand noble plan in motion.

To the participants and organizers of the Year of Russia in France and the Year of France in Russia Russia and France are two countries with a rich and distinctive past, two long-standing economic partners, two nations enjoying strong political, cultural and human relationship. 2010 has been declared the Year of Russia in France and the Year of France in Russia. This is another excellent opportunity for our people to get to know each other better, to learn about the rich cultural and historic past, to discover new prospects for cooperation in quite a number of key fields. I am absolutely sure that the forthcoming events are to enhance Russian-French cooperation and to contribute to the overall well-being of both countries. Dmitry Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation

France — Russia Year: see you in 2010 The event which France and Russia scheduled for 2010 is to pay a worthy tribute to the special relationship our two countries have been fostering for almost three centuries. This relationship is an invaluable heritage that facilitated greatly the concord and understanding on the European continent. Today, with both Europe and the whole world going through a remarkable transformation, we are to fuse a new up-to-date content into this relationship and attract the interest of the young generation first and foremost. I wish the events to be held in Russia and France in 2010 would involve as many fields of human activity as possible: the exchange of artistic and intellectual values that have always played pivotal role in raising awareness of each other; economy and entrepreneurship with its vigorous energy that ensures the development of our relations; the world of science and advanced technologies. Generally speaking, it is extremely important that this year give all the civil society members in both countries an opportunity to learn each other better, to establish new contacts and unite their creative and entrepreneurial spirit. I would like to assure our Russian friends and partners as well as all the organizers of this exciting project that I wholeheartedly support their efforts to pursue these aims. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic