President Vladimir Putin Meets With Minister of Culture Mikhail Shvydkoi

Vladimir Putin on Thursday had a working meeting with Russian Minister of Culture Mikhail Shvydkoi.

"The whole country is now under the impression of the latest tragic events, and it would seem that it is not the best time now to speak about culture. But I think, however, that it is just the time to speak about the entire complex of the problems that face culture," said the head of the state.

In his turn, Mikhail Shvydkoi said that it was not a mere coincidence that the tragic events occurred in a theatre. "Theatre in Russia has always been a very important place; in theatre, as is being asserted, the people become a nation," said the minister.

Speaking about the problems in this sphere, Mikhail Shvydkoi said that "culture in Russia should serve the nation's health." "It is clear that we shall not be able to turn terrorists into decent people, but we are duty bound to raise people's resistance with the help of culture and art. They are the immunity against tragedies which unfortunately still befall our country," underscored the minister.