Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Avdeyev, we both attended the opening of the International Tchaikovsky Competition. As far as I know, the competition was a success and ended with a beautiful and spectacular closing ceremony. What can you say about its results?

Alexander Avdeyev: Mr Putin, according to the international rating, this contest is one of the top three world competitions for young people. Its success was unexpected because the competition experienced some problems in the past. But through the efforts of Valery Gergiev, Chairman of the Organisation Committee, and with the help of the builders and the Moscow Conservatory, which managed to finish the renovations of the Great Hall, the preparations were completed in time.

Over three million people watched the contest online. Viewers in 127 countries watched the qualification rounds and the final competition, which were broadcast around the clock. The popularity of the competition, especially of its final stages, was enormous. The idea of holding the contests in two cities, Moscow and St Petersburg, proved highly successful. There are still those who think the competition should be held only in Moscow but the ministry believes it should take place in two music capitals. Moreover, there are five excellent halls for the competition in St Petersburg while Moscow has only two. We have already started preparations for the 15^th  international competition, to be held next year. If there are no objections, I would like Mr Gergiev to be the chairman again.

Vladimir Putin: The success belongs to the competition’s commission and the jury as well because they managed to bring together the best professionals from around the world. What is most important, they were totally objective in their assessment of the contestants and their performance. That is the main achievement.

Alexander Avdeyev: The educational impact is huge. Almost all students of music schools, conservatories and colleges in Russia and abroad watched the contest. For them it was a good professional experience. It was also highly enjoyable for all enthusiasts of classical music and people interested in culture.

Vladimir Putin: Excellent. What can you say about education in performing arts?

Alexander Avdeyev: Mr Putin, last year I received instructions from you regarding the crisis. The situation was critical at all three levels, in children’s schools, in music and ballet schools, and in higher education institutions. There are 47 art colleges in Russia with a huge number of students. With the support of the State Duma and, at the last stage, our colleagues from the Ministry of Education and Science we adopted three laws. We have resolved all problems through legislation.

Speaking of children’s music schools, there are 5,370 such schools around Russia. They have a pre-vocational school status. We have introduced standard diplomas across the country. The remaining issue is social security for the teachers.

Vladimir Putin: How much do they earn compared to teachers at other schools?

Alexander Avdeyev: Their salaries are based on their workload. The average workload in a general education school is 18 hours per week, while teachers at art schools work longer hours although their work is equally demanding and tiring. Moreover, teachers in general education can continue working after they retire and receive both the pension and their salary, but there is no such benefit for art schools teachers. Their salaries are quite low, between 4,000 and 6,500 roubles.

Vladimir Putin: That is absolutely inadmissible. Their salaries must be at least equal to those of teachers in general education.

Alexander Avdeyev: We have already drafted all the documents and the ministry is discussing this issue with the trade unions. When it comes to the workload and benefits we need approval of the trade unions. We assume that the Finance Ministry is ready to allocate the money.

Vladimir Putin: Please draft your proposals and discuss them with your colleagues. We must make a decision.

Alexander Avdeyev: Of course, Mr Putin.

As for secondary art schools, we have introduced some new regulations. Now choreography schools cannot restrict their admission and accept only the children who live in the area. There is also a new nationwide education standard. Choreography schools must accept children aged seven and older. The graduates receive two diplomas, a certificate of general education and a certificate of vocational training.

Vladimir Putin: Ms Matvienko has promised that the renovations of the Vaganova Ballet Academy would be complete soon. Have they been finished?

Alexander Avdeyev: Mr Putin, I do not have any information about that. I will have to check.

Vladimir Putin: We have done a great deal to increase the city budget and the governor promised to allocate funding for culture facilities, including the Vaganova Ballet Academy.

Alexander Avdeyev: The graduates of the Vaganova Academy now receive a certificate of general education when they get a work placement. Later when they work at the Mariinsky Theatre they can come back to the school and complete their higher education in two years. Because of that the school now has the status of an academy.

All colleges will remain, both federal and regional colleges. We have also adopted a law to re-establish postgraduate education in performing arts. There was no postgraduate education. This is the first point.

Second, we are completing work on documents for postgraduate education so that creative arts professionals such as conductors, film directors, directors of photography or stage directors will have an opportunity to get a second degree on a tuition-free basis. This is necessary for the professions that require two degrees. Some of them were actors or cameramen, for example, and now they can become directors but to pay $5,000-6,000 per year for a second degree is quite expensive. Soon we will introduce a document that will make second education free.

Of course, there is still a great deal to do but at least we have alleviated public concerns. So many talented people will go through this pre-professional selection, from a children’s school to a college. This is how they will become professionals.

Vladimir Putin: I asked you to pay special attention to several specific theatres, such as the Tovstonogov Bolshoi Theatre. What is happening there?

Alexander Avdeyev: Mr Putin, I visited the Tovstonogov Theatre on Thursday. The emergency repairs are finished. The theatre company is currently giving performances at a temporary venue. They used to perform at the Variety Theatre and now they have moved to the Gorky Palace of Culture.

Vladimir Putin: In the Kirovsky District?

Alexander Avdeyev: That’s right. We have allocated 700 million roubles and the theatre will receive the money. The design specification is now under expert review. As soon as it is approved the renovations will begin, which we hope will happen within two weeks.

Vladimir Putin: Does that mean the renovations will start by the end of the summer?

Alexander Avdeyev: Yes, it does.

Vladimir Putin: Good.