The first group of 24 teachers, students, as well as activists from senior high schools, colleges and NGOs in Moscow, Russia have arrived in Jakarta to join the activities of Indonesian Competency Enhancement. [...] Ambassador Wahid believes that cultural diplomacy activities like this can be developed because it will help make ties of the two countries closer.

World-renowned Turkish pianist İdil Biret is set to perform the works of famous Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff at his house-turned-museum in Tambov, Russia on July 15. Anadolu University State Conservatory academic Amine Aygistova confirmed the news to Anadolu Agency. [...] Thanks to the concert, the relationship between the two countries will improve further, hoped Aygistova.

This year has been the designated the year of South Korea-Iran cultural exchange, to mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. However, cultural exchanges between Seoul and Tehran go back much farther, back to the time of the Silla Kingdom and the Persian Empire. 

“We work equally in all the spheres, making efforts aimed at deepening cultural, economic and political ties with Armenia,” Mr. Bernhard Matthias Kiesler, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Armenia, said at a press conference on Monday, reflecting on the question whether the professional diplomats envy cultural figures who sometimes register more success in cultural diplomacy.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark organized a three-day painting exhibition of two Bangladeshi artists at the embassy, from June 28-30. About 50 paintings by Kazi Salauddin Ahmed and Zobaida Arzoo were on display at the exhibition. [...] Painting is a powerful medium of Bangladeshi artists which has not received much international exposure, and the exhibition was organized with providing that exposure to Bangladeshi art and artists.

Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday afternoon attended a signing ceremony for cooperation agreement on the development of the Hong Kong Palace Museum. The mainland and the Hong Hong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will carry out cooperation in areas including relic display, personnel training and people-to-people exchange, according to the agreement.

To move beyond transactional ties, India and Israel must make an effort to encourage cultural connections. This is best done through education, tourism and the arts.