Following a decision in principle in November 2023, the Board of Trustees decided at its meeting on 28 February 2024 to discontinue the Moscow office’s activities at the end of 2024.
As part of Pro Helvetia Moscow’s reduced mandate, only direct exchanges between artists and cultural practitioners in the form of residencies or research projects were supported in 2022 and 2023. In view of the unchanged political situation with the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the foundation established that it was no longer possible for the office in Moscow to fulfil its mandate of disseminating Swiss culture in Russia. Following a decision in principle in November 2023, the Board of Trustees decided at its meeting on 28 February 2024 to discontinue the office’s activities at the end of 2024. However, in line with its mission to promote cultural dialogue, the Foundation is convinced that the exchange with the independent art scene must be maintained. To this end, a minimal structure in the form of a cultural exchange unit will be set up for a two-year pilot phase from 1 January 2025.
