At the business venue of IV St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum was held a roundtable discussion "Patronage: legal regulation and development prospects in contemporary Russia". Patrons, heads of museums, theaters and libraries discussed the main issues of charity and sponsorship in the cultural sphere in Russia.

Particular attention was paid to the interaction between the authorities and representatives of patronage. Natalia Romashova, director of the regulatory department of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, said that to encourage benefactors from 2016 will be presented annually by the State Prize of the Russian Federation for outstanding achievements in the field of charitable activities with the amount of 2.5 million rubles. Prize will be awarded to patrons who perform active and beneficial social activities, aimed at promoting a culture of charity, philanthropy and volunteerism.

The participants discussed both present time and history of formation of philanthropic movement in Russia. Within the walls of the Ethnographic Museum were repeatedly mentioned the names of legendary Savva Mamontov, Tretyakov, Morozov. Participants noted that reliance on the rich experience of the past can do much to help revive the traditions of culture and art.