The Sept. 3-6 Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok was an opportunity for foreign leaders to express their views on the importance of developing the Russian Far East for the region as a whole. Guest Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim waxed eloquent in his appreciation for Russia’s cultural role in world history. “Russia is not just a strategic and economic reality that commands attention,” Anwar said. “Indeed, as a cultural, intellectual and scientific force, Russia’s prominence on the global stage transcends the confines of commerce and geopolitics, reaching deep into the very fabric of human history and thought. Russia’s pre-eminence stems not from military might or economic leverage, crucial as that may be, but from the enduring power of ideas, the beauty of artistic expression and an unwavering pursuit of knowledge. These achievements form the bedrock of the remarkable soft power earning Russia a place of global respect and admiration, influencing the hearts and minds of peoples around the world.”
“For me personally, this influence is most powerfully felt in literature. I say this with an honest conviction, because having drunk deeply from the wellsprings of English and Malay literature in my early education, and then later having immersed myself in the works of Dante, Shakespeare and Milton, I do believe that life would be so much poorer without literature, particularly Russian literature.
“In this regard, I can’t sing enough praise for the great Russian authors and poets who have explored the profound complexities of life, unparalleled insight, and whose works have had a lasting impact on my understanding of society and the human condition. For instance, the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Leo Tolstoy, just to name a few, delve into the moral and philosophical dilemmas that define what it means to be human. While Dostoevsky challenges us to engage with the intricacies of faith, doubt and the human soul, Tolstoy invites us to reflect on the nature of power, responsibility, and the passage of time, transcending the literary significance.
