Rave organizers in Leninka responded to criticism in the state Duma

Literary rave “Litrave” in the Russian State Library (RSL) was aimed at preserving Russian culture and supporting traditional values, said RBC Director of the Department of Strategic Communications of the publishing group “Exmo-AST” Ekaterina Kozhanova in response to criticism of the event by State Duma Deputy Nina Ostanina.

The organizers of the literary holiday “Litrave” did not read the letters of N. A. Ostanina, but absolutely agree with all the assessments and arguments of the Chairman of the Committee. As for the fact that celebrating Halloween is an unwise adherence to Western pop culture. So with respect to the fact that low-quality copying of American carnivals is an indicator of a low level of culture, the publisher said.

At the same time, according to her, “Litrave” was designed to solve problems related to the support of traditional values, the preservation of Russian and Soviet culture, the development of family leisure and the popularization of classical literature, “which established the presidential decree 809”. “The literary holiday brought together a family, intelligent, kind, intellectual audience, who this evening chose a library rather than a nightclub,” she said.

Kozhanova recalled that the event was held without alcohol, drugs, dressing and prohibited symbols. According to her, the decoration of the holiday using red color, bright colors and avant-garde music referred to the Soviet art of the revolutionary era, the work of Vladimir Mayakovsky and the posters “Windows of ROSTA”.

The representative of the publishing group said that thanks to Lithrave, the library received about 3 thousand new library tickets. She also assured that safety and age restrictions were observed during the event, and that the premises, furniture, equipment and library funds were not damaged.

"We are ready to provide the Ministry of Culture and the State Duma with a detailed report, videos and photos," Kozhanova concluded.

Earlier, Ostanina sent an appeal to the Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova, in which she called holding a rave in the library inappropriate. Such events do not correspond to the purpose of the library and contradict the goals of the presidential decree on the preservation of traditional values. Ostanina asked the Ministry of Culture to clarify the requirements for entertainment in cultural institutions of historical and national importance. In a comment to RBC, she called the library a “book temple”, in which it is necessary to observe a special regime.

The first literary rave was held in the main building of the RSL on Vozdvizhenka on the night of November 1. In the historical halls of the library, three dance floors were equipped with electronic music. Entrance was free by prior registration. Visitors over the age of 16 were required to present a passport and a library card. The event began at 18:00, minors had to leave the library before 22:00.