Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department plans to promote the works of Robert Burns as part of the UK-Russia Year of Language and Literature 2016.

The UK programme in Russia for the 2016 UK Russia Year of Language and Literature is being led by the British Council in partnership with the FCO, UKTI and Visit Britain and other UK organisations.

The programme reflects the literary heritage of all parts of the United Kingdom, including Robert Burns, whose work already enjoys great popularity in Russia.

In addition the British Council is using the Year of Language and Literature to promote contemporary Scottish literature in Russia. Scottish poets will visit Russia to collaborate with Russian poets, Scottish writers will feature in the 'New Writing from the UK' award and a Scottish writer will take part in the British Literature Seminar at Tolstoy’s home in September.