Russian President Vladimir Putin has held this year's last session with the country's State Council. The session dealt with government support for traditional folk culture in the Russian Federation.

The meeting took place in The Kremlin's ornate Georgian Hall, a venue suitable for the accasion. Speaking before governors of the Russian Federation, President Putin called for greater support for the country's national culture. He stressed the importance of the diversity of folk art, saying that not only is it a valuable heritage, but also a means of uniting and establishing better understanding between people.

Putin also pointed out that Russia has more than 50,000 community centres in rural areas and small towns, which are true centres of cultural life. Like folk culture in general, these centres are largely underfunded, according to the president. In this connection he suggested that federal and regional authorities make a grater contribution in this area.