In its activity, FIAS actively implements the idea of friendly work relations with the leading sports organisations, as well as with the leaders of contemporary Olympic movement. The range of such events includes the working meeting between Vasily Shestak

At present alongside worldwide promotion of sports values, FIAS, by means of SAMBO, pays special attention to development of cultural ties, promotion of universal human values, and facilitates more harmonious worldwide development and education of the youth through its social projects. Within this work FIAS started cooperation with one of the best museums of the world, the Russian Museum. A recent meeting of Vladimir Gusev, Director of the Museum, and Vasily Shestakov, FIAS President, gave rise to a decision to join efforts for worldwide promotion of the knowledge in the fields of culture and sports. This joint project of the Russian Museum and FIAS will have a loud name “ART and SPORTS united”. The objective is to join the project “Russian Museum: Virtual Branch” implemented by the Russian Museum since 2003 and FIAS information project “The World of SAMBO”. This joint project of the Russian Museum and FIAS aims at the exposure of the viewing audience to the values of the Russian culture and the historical heritage of Russia, as well as to indigenously Russian sport that has become international one, SAMBO. This way, SAMBO, indigenously Russian sport, will foster promotion of the Russian culture and will expand the audience of the real amateurs of the Russian art and the Russian martial art worldwide. The Russian art was also demonstrated at the annual Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in London suburbs which the world’s largest flower show. The Russian Museum together with British landscape designers presented a garden created by designers inspired by the Russian art to the visitors at the Hampton Court Palace. During this event there was an opening reception which was held in the suburbs of London on behalf of the Royal family members, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent and Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent. At this reception FIAS delegation was presented by Andrey Kliamko, First Vice-President, Alexander Kuznetsov, Adviser of the President, and Andrey Moshanov, Head of the Development Department. The Russian culture plays a special part in the life of the host of the reception at the Hampton Court Palace, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, a descendant of the Emperor of Russia and the King of Britain. The prince is well-known worldwide for his charity activities in different areas – from healthcare and education to historical and cultural heritage preservation. His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent told FIAS representatives about his charitable activities and particularly about contribution to and promotion of the Russian heritage being an important part of the world culture. Prince Michael got really interested in the information about FIAS as an organisation paying special attention to social projects in sports. It is the elementary schools of Great Britain where a special training programme that enables to prevent fall down injuries was tested. At present, this project has been fully supported by the educational authorities of this country and has been approved by parents who are the best judge. FIAS conciders England as strategically important partner in the worldwide promotion of cultural and sports values. The Commonwealth SAMBO Association that was established in 2012 and its President, Lord Simon Reading in particular, actively participates in the development of SAMBO in the countries - members of the Commonwealth. FIAS and the Commonwealth SAMBO Association have a lot work ahead to promote SAMBO and modern cultural values worldwide. And we, admirers and fans of SAMBO, have nothing but to accumulate a lot of energy, power and patience and continue to develop and promote our favorite sport worldwide. And we shall not forget that SAMBO is not merely a sport but also a tool to promote universal human values, such as respect and honor to culture, art and history, worldwide. FIAS Press Office