/kloc-westernization reform in the 0/9th century: narrowing the distance between Russia and the west. The glory of any cultural achievement is not achieved overnight, and so is Russian culture. /kloc-the prosperity of Russian culture in the 0/9th century was rooted in the silent cultivation of the whole18th century. From Peter the Great to Catherine II, the Russian czar initiated the reform of learning from the West in order to narrow the gap between Russia and the West, which laid the foundation for the cultural rise of Russia. In Peter's time, Russia began to introduce books to the west on a large scale, which led to the large-scale introduction of western literature, art, thought and science into Europe. Peter also established the first national library, the first national theatre and the first museum in Russia.