I.Metshin on the development of cultural institutions: “It's time to rethink our goals and targets”

To enhance the attractiveness of cultural institutions for the residents of the city by the implementation of modern formats – such tasks were set for the cultural sector of Kazan today at the VII session of the Kazan City Duma at the City Hall. “We open a dialogue about the culture of today and tomorrow. Our task is to educate and promote the cultural awareness,”- Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, said at the meeting.

“We need to move forward so that Kazan would be known not only a sports capital, but also a cultural one”

In recent years, all municipal cultural centers have been renovated in Kazan, 8 new cultural facilities have been built, 6 art schools will be renovated in the near future, said Azat Abzalov, head of the city's Department of Culture.

“A couple of years ago, the renovation of the cultural centers seemed to us a pipe dream, it required significant costs. Thanks to Tatarstan President, who literally made our dream come true”, - said Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan.

The Mayor drew attention to the fact that the Internet forms cultural trends today, and this needs to be corrected. “Having such powerful tool as theaters with a history, as well as new projects, we simply have to work harder and better. We need to understand our tasks, evaluate our current positions, and move forward so that we would be known not only a sports capital, but also a cultural one”, - the Mayor stressed.

Only a third of Kazan residents are interested in cultural institutions

According to surveys, today cultural institutions are attractive only for 30% of Kazan residents.

“Young people show low interest in cultural institutions. Only 17% of Kazan citizens from 18 to 25 years visit theaters, museums, exhibitions or concerts”, - A.Abzalov reported.

“Kazan residents say that lack of time or money prevents them from participating more actively in cultural life. However, the survey shows that people simply make a choice in favor of other things. This choice is a consequence of the lack of a high-quality offer in the cultural sector and the lack of the habit of visiting cultural institutions”, - the speaker believes.

The cultural sector needs young employees

To enhance the interest of citizens in cultural institutions, A. Abzalov proposed a number of measures. So, according to him, it is necessary to continue to renovate the infrastructure, to create relevant formats of work. “Our institutions will have to learn to communicate with people. The survey showed a poor quality of social networks, websites, formal and illiterate texts and layouts of posts, often awkward and incorrect communication of employees with visitors”, - said the head of the Department of Culture.

There is also an acute staffing issue. The Head of the Department of Culture added: “The industry needs new managers with professional competencies and skills. We solve this problem by introducing open competitive procedures for the appointment of managers”.

Round-the-clock libraries and a common portal

This year, the working hours of libraries will be changed, taking into account the demand among readers, and a number of facilities will be open daily.

The main priority for cultural centers will be creation of their own program and cultural product. Inviting famous cultural workers and teams to cooperate will allow cultural centers to become part of the modern artistic process.

“The next challenge, of course, will be the digitalization of services, which has shown its relevance in the context of the pandemic. All proposals of municipal cultural institutions in the future will be available at the common portal and an application”, - A.Abzalov said.