UDC

Authors

Abstract

Formation of the civil society in Russia involves developing the institute of public diplomacy which contributes to the humanization of international relations. The paper dwells on the development of public diplomacy during the 1960s–1980s using the example of the following twin cities in the Angara region and Japan: Irkutsk, Bratsk, Shelekhovo, Zheleznogorsk-Ilimsky and Kanazawa, Nanao, Neagari, Sakata. Having analyzed archival sources and periodicals, the author points out key stages and areas of the twin cities’ cooperation, their goals and objectives, as well as activities undertaken to achieve them. A conclusion is made about the importance of twin city experience and the need to develop public diplomacy. Over the period of 1960s–1980s there was created an efficient system of relations between the sister cities. Cooperation concerned various fields: culture, sports, education, and health. There was a regular exchange of children, youth, women, and sports delegations, as well as tourists, theatre companies and other creative teams and experts in various fields. Contacts between researchers proved to be very productive as well. There were established links within coastal trade. In addition, there were held photo exhibitions about the life and culture of the twin cities as well as art exhibitions of professional artists and children. The cities exchanged information in the sphere of urban planning and municipal services. Regular Twin City Days were held both in the USSR and Japan. Friendly relations between the sister cities resulted in face-to-face communication, cultural enrichment and cooperation between the nations, strengthened their economic ties and gave an opportunity to explore the way of life and traditions in the countries.

Keywords

References

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