Within the framework of IV St.Petersburg international cultural forum the round table discussion "Economy of culture" timed to the Day of Italy in the Hermitage was held. Among the participants there were Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky, Minister of Culture of Italy Dario Franceschini, Director of the Hermitage Michael Piotrovsky, Secretary General of the Hermitage-Italy Center Maurizio Cecconi and a television host, governmental official and theater critic Michael Shvydkoy. Experts were discussing which role culture plays in modern economy.

Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky highlighted the importance of cultural cooperation between Russia and Italy. Michael Shvydkoy noticed that right now culture has the potential to become economically beneficial sphere for Russia, and Michael Piotrovsky told through what way museums can assist in the employment.

- A museum should be addressed to citizens, exhibitions should demonstrate something unusual, totally unique, - said Michael Piotrovsky with great assurance. – And here the museum is interconnected with economic situation in the country. We have the trend which is called “Optimization, museums merging and  job cuts”. In times of crisis the question of employment is urgent. The aim of culture and museums is to create jobs for the city and it is worth fighting for.