Set up in 1986 as part of the Russian Cultural Foundation, the International Programmes Directorate promotes Russian cultural excellence with special attention paid to European countries. Among its many projects, those that have received the most public acclaim are the Russia-Italy “Festival of literature and literary prize”, “Through to European countries. Among its many projects, those that have received the most public acclaim are the Russia- Italy “Festival of literature and literary prize”, “Through the centuries” in Rome, Russian cultural missions in Milan and Venice, the Festival of Russian Art “The summer garden of arts” in he centuries” in Rome, Russian cultural missions in Milan and Venice, the Festival of Russian Art “The summer garden of arts” in Bari, Russian fi lm festivals in Jesolo, Asolo, Pesaro and many more projects.