Le Forum des cultures slaves

Le Ministere de la Culture de la Federation de Russie The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation

The Forum egation permanente Forum of Slavic Cultures of Slavic la Federation de Cultures sie aupres de l'UNESCO

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

manent Delegation he Russian Federation UNESCO

Russian State Concert Company Sodruzhestvo

Intergovernmental Foundation for Educational, Scientific and Cultural Cooperation

Opus 3 Artists

Concert Gala

Folk Music of Slavic Peoples

24 May 2011
New-York, UN

The goal of this presentation is to introduce the International Foundation Forum of Slavic Cultures to the wide European and world public. The headquarter of the Forum is located in Ljubljana (Slovinia). In June 2008 a presentation of The Forum of Slavic Cultures took place in Brussels. The program included an exhibition of Slavic costumes; a Slavic film festival; young musicians demonstrated their mastery during that event. In October 2009 a similar presentation was held in Strasbourg and in May 2010 in Paris (Headquarter of UNESCO). The logo of the Forum is symbolic. It combines the Latin and the Cyrillic faces of the letter F into one sign that signifies the main activities of the international non-governmental organization: promotion of the cultural and information exchange between the countries, whose population speaks Slavic languages, stimulation of the research, development and propagation of Slavic cultures, furthering preservation of the cultural and historic heritage of the eastern, western and southern Slavs, summarizing the intellectual contribution of these peoples to the cultural life of humankind. I hope that the activities of the Forum of Slavic Cultures will find appreciation and support of the United Nations. Svyatoslav Belza (Russia) Board Member of the International Foundation Forum of Slavic Cultures

Concert Gala

Folk Music of Slavic Peoples

Osipov National Academic Folk Instruments Orchestra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Peoples Artist of Russia Vladimir AndropoV

Republic of Belarus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Russian Federation Poland Belarus Ukraine

Aliaksandr KrAMKo Folk wind instruments: duda, zhaleika, ocarina, solomka, sopilka Larysa rYdLEUSKAYA cymbals Elica TodoroVA folk vocal, percussion Stoyan YAnKULoV percussion Antun BoZIC tanbur, vocals Mrko FIRST bagpipes, reed-pipe dragan dAUToVSKI gaida Stevan CAVor diple

Republic of Bulgaria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Republic of Croatia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Republic of Macedonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Republic of Montenegro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Republic of Poland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Marcin KorBUT heligonka

Slovenia Croatia Serbia

Russian Federation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
leksander ZAKHAROV tenor Aleksandar STEpIC accordion Ljoba JEnCE soprano

Republic of Serbia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Republic of Slovenia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Kateryna KoVrYK Ievgeniia ZGUroVSKA bandura duet Marian GHERAS nai

Bulgaria Montenegro Makedonia

Ukraine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Special guest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Osipov National Academic Folk Instruments Orchestra of Russia

Artisitc Director and Chief Conductor Peoples Artist of Russia Vladimir ANDROPOV
The history of the orchestra dates back to the beginning of the XX century when in 1919 the first concert of the famous musicians of Andreev orchestra the balalaika player Boris Troyanovskiy and the domra player Petr Alekseev together with their students was held in the Moscow Hermitage gardens. This Moscow balalaika orchestra had later grown into a professional community, reinforced by the folk wind instruments zhaleikas, reed-pipes, clarions, bryolkas and also folk percussion instruments that had significantly expanded the orchestras performing palette. The orchestras uniqueness lies in its highest performing mastery despite being comprised of folk instruments. The orchestras repertoire includes both the original works written for the orchestra of Russian folk instruments (by V. Andreev, P. Fomin, A. Glazunov, A. Grechaninov and contemporary composers) and adaptations of symphonic music classics. Among the authors that wrote the music for the orchestra are such composers as M. Ippolitov-Ivanov, R. Glier, S. Vasilenko, Yu. Shishakov, N. Budashkin and others. The first leaders of the orchestra were Petr Alekseev and Boris Troyanovskiy that had laid the cornerstone of the orchestras performing mastery. Further down the road the orchestra was lead by the talented musicians brothers Nikolai and Dmitri Osipov, Victor Smirnov, Vitali Gnutov, Victor Dubrovskiy, Nikolai Kalinin, Vladimir Ponkin. Such famous conductors as Nikolai Golovanov, Nikolai Anosov, Alexander Gauk, Gennadi Rozhdestvenskiy, Veronika Dudarova, Vladimir Fedoseev were invited to conduct the orchestra. The orchestras cooperation with prominent soloists was very fruitful: among them were the best representatives of Russian vocal school such as N. Obukhova, A. Nezhdanova, V. Barsova, I. Kozlovskiy, I. Arkhipova, B. Shtokolov, I. Bogacheva, E. Nesterenko, D. Khvorostovskiy, L. Ruslanova, L. Zykina, O. Voronets, A. Strelchenko and others and also folk musicians A. Tikhonov, V. Gorodovskaya, P. Necheporenko, A. Tsygankov, M. Rozhkov, S. Butushin, M. Gorobtsov, Yu. Sidorov and others. During the orchestras numerous tours its art was introduced not only to the listeners in Russia, but also in many foreign countries: USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, Japan, Korea, Greece, Cyprus. During its history the orchestra had visited all corners of Russia and CIS countries. It had recorded 69 vinyl records and over 30 CDs. Since 2009 the orchestra is headed by the Peoples Artist of Russia Vladimir Andropov.

Vladimir Andropov
Conductor Russian Federation
Vladimir Andropov Peoples Artist of Russia, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Osipov National Academic Folk Instruments Orchestra, conductor of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, Artistic Director of the Astrakhan State Musical Theatre. Having graduated from the Belorussian State Conservatory, Vladimir Andropov had started his creative career as the conductor of the Belorussian Symphonic Orchestra. He had made his debut in Bolshoi Theatre in 1978 with the M. Ravels opera The Spanish Hour and was offered the post of the Artistic Director and conductor of the theatres stage orchestra. Vladimirs professionalism and managerial abilities allowed him to create a first class wind band and prepare an extensive concert repertoire including classic and contemporary pieces composed by different authors of different epochs and genres. In 2000-2002 Vladimir Andropov was holding the post of the Artistic Manager of the opera troupe of the Bolshoi Theatre. His vast repertoire of operas and ballets includes operas The Oprichnik, Evgeny Onegin, Iolanta by P. Tchaikovsky, Rusalka by A. Dargomyzhsky, Mozart and Salieri, The Tsars Bride by N. Rimsky-Korsakov, Boris Godunov by M. Musorgsky, Nabucco, The Power of Fate by G. Verdi, Toska by G. Puccini, The Love for Three Oranges by S. Prokofiev, ballets Konyok-Gorbunok by R, Shedrin, Chipollino by K. Khachaturyan. Vladimir Andropov was the producer and conductor of the opera La bella molinara by G. Paisiello, the ballet Insomnia by S. Zhukov, Roland Petits ballets Pique Dame (with the music of the Sixth symphony of P. Tchaikovsky) and Passacaglia (with the music of A. von Weber). In 1988 he was the first to record The Americans opera by E. Fomin (libretto by I. Krylov). In 2001 he participated in the joint production of Boris Godunov at the Verdi theatre in Trieste. As an invited conductor he had worked with the symphonic orchestras of Singapore, Belgrade, Macedonia and various Russian orchestras. In 2001 he was awarded the Order of Friendship of Russian Federation. Since 2003 he has taken up the post of Artistic Director of the Astrakhan State Musical Theatre. In 2009 he became the head of the Osipov National Academic Folk Instruments Orchestra.

okarina

Folk wind instruments: duda, zhaleika, ocarina, solomka, sopilka Republic of Belarus

Aliaksandr KRAMKO

sopilka

Honored Artist of the Belarus Republic, Aliaksandr Kramko is the musician of the National Academic Peoples Orchestra named after I. Zhinovich. The remarkable feel for the melodics of the Belorussian singing and instrumental folklore as well as virtuoso mastery of Belarus folk instruments duda, zhaleika, fife, ocarina, solomka as well as the accordion distinguish this prominent musician and position his artistic gift among the unique ones. As a folk musician A. Kramko has been successfully performing abroad on numerous occasions. He is a talented arranger of Belarusian folklore:

his arrangements for the orchestra compose a significant repertoire, are often chosen to be performed in the concerts, have been recorded for the Belorussian radio. A. Kramko is the author of such folk orchestra pieces as Round Dances, Merrily, Belarus Dances, Without a fife or duda, Sketches of a homeland and also over 40 scores of original adaptations of Belorussian folk melodies. A. Kramko is the founder and the leader of the orchestras folk group that is passionately preserving the traditions of performance on folk instruments.

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Larysa RYDLEUSKAYA
Cymbals Republic of Belarus

Cymbalum

In 1987 young musician Larisa Rydleuskaya won the First Prize at the First National Competition of the Folk Musicians named after I. I. Zhinovich and also was awarded the title of First Prize Laureate and the Grand Prize in Russia, Tcherepovets (1992). In 2001 Larisa was awarded the title of the Honored Artist of the Belarus Republic. Larisa Rydleuskaya is currently working at the National Academic Folk Orchestra of the Belarus Republic named after I. Zhinovich. Larisa Rydleuskaya is not limiting her creative repertoire to folk music only. She is constantly expanding and modifying her repertoire because the expressive and technical capabilities of the cymbals are manifold. It had earned its status of a folk

instrument for a reason: it is an excellent instrument both for the folk melodies and songs as well as for the transcriptions of classical, contemporary and romantic music. Larisa Rydleuskaya is regularly giving concerts in the venues of her motherland, participates in the events abroad (Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Syria, Lebanon) where she gives the listeners an opportunity to learn the magic sounds of cymbals, the Belorussian folk instrument.

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Elica TODOROVA
folk vocal, percussion Republic of Bulgaria

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Stoyan YANKULOV
ercussion Republic of Bulgaria

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Antun BOZIC
Tanbur, vocals Republic of Croatia

Tambour

Antun Bozic was born on 12 June 1987, in a small Slavonian village Antin near Vinkovci. Antun lived with his family in Velika Kopanica near Slavonski Brod for ten years, where he completed his compulsory elementary school and an the elementary music school tamburitza department. From his first school days, he was also an active member of the local Culture and Arts Society Ivan Filipovic, where his exceptional interest for Croatian cultural heritage was soon manifested. Upon return to Antin in 2001, Antun joined the local Culture and Arts Society Lela and Vladimir Matanovic, where he soon became a voice coach, as well as head of the choir affiliated with the church of St. Anthony of Padua. Some time later, he worked as the conductor of the female harmony-singing group Antincanke (from Antin) and the Tamburitza band Zara. He also completed Gymnasium in Vinkovci and Secondary music school solo singing department. Up until now, with the start of his studyes

in Ethnology, Cultural Anthropology and Turkish Studies at the universitys Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb, he was engaged in the research of old popular customs and folkways, as well as songs and dances from Antin. With the assistance of local old women, and in particular his grandma Jelena Bozic, born Balic, he was successful in saving around 50 old Slavonian chants and songs, both spiritual and secular, from oblivion. Now, he is a member of Croatian Bagpipe Orchestra, voice coach and mentor for male harmony-singing group Poljari from ikovci, female group Antinanke from Antin, choreographer, dance and voice coach of KPD Sveta Klara from Sveta Klara. He is also the lecturer of the folklore seminar in Vinkovci. Antun is playing all kinds of tamburitza, tambura samica, dvojnice, diplica and bagpipes.

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halumeau

Mrko FIRST
Bagpipes, reed-pipe Republic of Croatia

Marko First, born in 1984, studied at Blagoje Bersa music school in Zagreb from 1990 to 1999, where he played violin. After that he joined Zagreb Folkdance Ensemble orchestra, and became its orchestral director in 2006. He also attends Croatian School of Folklore where he studies traditional Croatian

instruments, which include tamburitzas, gajde, dude, sopile, diple, samica, lijerica etc. His musical collaborations include ensembles, bands and orchestras as Tamburitza Orchestra HRT, Croatian Bagpipe Orchestra and music group Cinkui.

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Dragan DAUTOVSKI
Gaida Republic of Macedonia

Born in 1957 in the village of Rusinovo, Berovo, Macedonia. Education: Bachelor of Music Theory (1984, University Sts. Cyril and Methodius). He has composed many works for various instrumental and vocal soloists, groups, and orchestras, to be played on Macedonian folk instruments, and of neighbouring countries. In addition to the above he is also teaching at the University of Sts. Cyril and Methodius as the Professor of folk instruments: kaval, gajda, tanbur. In 1992 he formed the ensemble Mile Kolarovski. With this ensemble he had performed many concerts in Macedonia

and abroad. This ensemble has made a number of recordings for the National Radio and Television. After success with the traditional ensemble Mile Kolarovski and participation in the score for the film Before the Rain he had formed DD Synthesis in 1995. The initial idea was deep exploration of the Macedonian folk and ethnic treasures. He is a musician of great practical genius who has mastered more than twenty different musical instruments.

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Stevan CAVOR
Diple Republic of Montenegro

Born in 1957 in the village of Rusinovo, Berovo, Macedonia. Education: Bachelor of Music Theory (1984, University Sts. Cyril and Methodius). He has composed many works for various instrumental and vocal soloists, groups, and orchestras, to be played on Macedonian folk instruments, and of neighbouring countries. In addition to the above he is also teaching at the University of Sts. Cyril and Methodius as the Professor of folk instruments: kaval, gajda, tanbur. In 1992 he formed the ensemble Mile Kolarovski. With this ensemble he had performed many concerts in Macedonia

and abroad. This ensemble has made a number of recordings for the National Radio and Television. After success with the traditional ensemble Mile Kolarovski and participation in the score for the film Before the Rain he had formed DD Synthesis in 1995. The initial idea was deep exploration of the Macedonian folk and ethnic treasures. He is a musician of great practical genius who has mastered more than twenty different musical instruments.

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Marcin KORBUT
Heligonka Republic of Poland

Student of the Academy of Music In Katowice, class of Professor Feliks Widera. He has been a member of the Song and Dance Ensemble Siedlecanie for 15 years, i.e. practically from his childhood.

This folk ensemble has been performing since 1948. Marcin plays a unique instrument called heligonka which is used not only in Poland but also in Slovakia and Hungary.

Heligonka
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LEKSANDER ZAKHAROV
Tenor Russian Federation

The honored artist Republics Ingushetias Was born in theOrel. In 1997 has ended vocal branch of the Moscow musical school of a name of M.M.IppolitovaIvanova, and in 2002 - the RussianAacademy of music of a name of Gnesinyh. In 1996 - 99 as the soloist acted with Ensemble of a song and dancing of the Russian Army of a name of A. V.Aleksandrova. In 1999 became the soloist of the Moscow state academic chamber musical theater under the direction of B.Pokrovsky where for five years has performed following parts: Luigi ("Raincoat" of J. Puccini), Don Ottavio ("Don Zhuan" V.A.Mozart), Sixths ("July Caesar in Egypt" G.F.Gendel), Gritzko ("Sorochinsky fair" M.Musorgsky), Lucencio ("Taming obstinate" V.Shebalin). As a part of troupe of theater went on tour abroad, including in Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and Japan much. Also in repertoire: Lensky ("Evgenie Onegin" of P.Tchaikovsky), Alfred ("Traviata" of J. Verdi) Alesha Popovich (A.Grechaninov's "Dobrynja Nikitich")

Now acts with the National academic orchestra of national tools of Russia of N. P.Osipov's name which soloist is since 2004 Participates in the project "Tenor of the XXI-st century" much. In the Bolshoi theater debuted in 2005 in party Bardolfo ("Falstaf" of J. Verdi). Also in repertoire in the Bolshoi theater: issail ("Boris Godunov" of M.Musorgsky) Almeric (P.Tchaikovsky "Iolanta"), Zadripannyi mujichonka ("Lady Makbet of Mtsensky district" D.Shostakovich), the first colleague Rosental, Conductor ("Rosental's Children" L.Desjatnikova), The gatekeeper ("the Magic flute" V.A.Mozart), The owner of ball, Signal prince Andrey, General Barclay-de-Tolli, Platon Karatayev (S.Prokofiev's "War and peace") bdallo ("Nabukko" of J. Verdi), Chaplitsky (P.Tchaikovsky "Queen of spades"), Medvedchik ("The Legend on invisible hailstones Kitezh and maiden Fevronii" N.Rimskiy-Korsakov) The winner of II award of competition "Tenor of Russia" (Moscow, 2001).

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Aleksandar STEPIC
Accordion Republic of Serbia

Born in 1976 in Shabatz. Graduated from the Primary Music School and then the Music Gymnasium. Soon moved to Belgrade and entered the Music Faculty (Ethnic Musical Studies) of the University and later studied at the Department of General Music Pedagogy. After graduation in 2001 he was offered positions of music teachers at the XII Belgrade Gymnasium and at an eight-year school. For his work with kids he was recognized at the National Festival of Children Musical Arts and won several prizes at the Golden Siren soloists competition. In 2000 he joined the section of folk instruments of the Lola orchestra. Since 2003 he is the head of the preparatory folk section and at the same time he has become the Assistant Artistic Director of the orchestra. As an outstanding accordionist he has been awarded numerous prizes at the

competitions of the orchestras, he has led the orchestra on its tour of Europe. Several times he had joined other sections of the orchestra during their concerts: the choir, the folk singing group, actively participated in creation of the new programs that were later presented at the annual concerts. He is known for his musical arrangements that had also won him prizes at the international festivals. He is presently engaged in the refinement, promotion and expansion activities of the orchestra through preparation of new programs and is working on inclusion of traditional folk instruments in the main group of the instruments of the orchestra.

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Ljoba JENCE
Soprano Republic of Slovenia
Ljoba Jene was born in 1960 in Postojna, Slovenija. From her birth she has been living close to the world famous vanishing Cerknica lake, known to the scientific Europe from 1689 through J. V. Valvasors thesis. Carstic region still has some precious oral tradition alive, which Ljoba is documenting and reviving among people, on the stage and in schools. Former economist in tourism industry, she changed her profession in 1988 and through her outstanding talents she got recognition from not only the local community but also National archive of Folk songs, Radio Slovenija as well as gained support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia. She carries out a task to collect, enliven and extend the life of old traditional songs from different regions from Slovenia. Ljoba performs all over the country and abroad: in Europe, Argentina, Canada, Egypt, Nepal, Tibet. She is an active member of the Cultural Association for Traditional Music of Slovenia. She is specially known for her sensitivity that allows her to recognize connections between old songs and the worlds of Nature and also for her artistic sense for other cultures souls. In her creative work she interweaves old Slovenian songs with Tibetan prayers (Lepote modrosti, 2001), Estonian ballads, Swedish ritual songs, Finnish children tunes, Istrian songs in the project The Fishs Tale, 2006 based on Faronika Fish myth, which she is also going to perform at the concert. This project was supported by the Office of Communication of the Republic of Slovenija at the ceremonies celebrating the 15th Anniversary of Independence of Slovenija in Finland and Estonia.

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Bandoura

Kateryna KOVRYK
Bandura Ukraine
Graduate of the Faculty of Musical Arts of the Kiev Children Academy of the Arts. Since 2005 a student of the Department of Folk Instruments of the Orchestra Faculty of the Ukrainian National Academy of Music named after P. I. Tchaikovsky. Laureate of the 10th Regional Review and Competition named after V. Kabachok (2004, Poltava). Laureate of the 2nd International Competition of Kobzar Art named after G. Kitastiy (2006, Kiev). Award winner of the 4th International Competition of Folk Musicians named after Gnat Hotkevich (2007, Kharkov). Has extensively toured Ukraine and abroad (Germany, Turkmenistan, Austria, Hungary, USA).

Ievgeniia ZGUROVSKA
Bandura Ukraine
Graduate of the Ternopol Regional Experimental Comprehensive School of Arts and the Ternopol State Musical College named after S. A. Krushelnitskaya. Since 2007 a student of the Ukrainian National Academy of Music named after P. I. Tchaikovsky. Laureate of the allUkrainian Competition of Folk Musicians Provesin (2007) and all-Ukrainian Competition of Folk Musicians named after A. Onufrienko (2007).

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Special Guest Nai

Marian GHERAS

Born 14 August 1970 in the Hertza village of Bukovina in the family of musicians. Graduated from the Academy of Music named after G. Muzichesku in Kishinev. M. Gheras had worked as a soloist of the Academic Folk Dance Ensemble Zhok. Actively collaborates with the National Chamber Orchestra of the Moldavian Philharmonics, with the Symphonic Orchestra of the Academy of the Arts Bessarabia and with Moldova Violinists orchestra.

A frequent guest player of the Turkish Symphonic orchestras of Adana, Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Antalya. Has been actively touring recently with the program of classical music in Romania, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, Russia, Izrael, China, Italy, USA, Switzerland. In 2003 M. Gheras participated in an extended tour of the US Symphonic orchestra. The public and the press recognize him as one of the best nai musicians of today.

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Svyatoslav BELZA
Concert presenter Russian Federation

Born in 1942 in Chelyabinsk. Graduated from the Philology Faculty of the Moscow State University. Was working at the Institute of World Literature. Author of over 300 publications on international literature and international ties of the Russian literature. He has written prefaces to over 100 works by foreign authors. In 1979-1989 covered the events of the foreign culture for the Literaturnaya Gazeta newspaper. Since 1987 he had started his active work for the television. In 1988-1996 he was the author and the presenter of Music On the Air program (Ostankino, ORT). From 1993 to 1995 Artistic Director of the Studio for Musical and Entertainment programs of Ostankino. Since 1997 he has been working for Kultura TV channel. He is currently presenting Masterpieces of the World Music Theatre and At Your Home series. Svyatoslav Belza is often invited to present concerts of Russian stars and young musicians in Moscow and other Russian cities and also abroad.

Peoples Artist of Russia (2006), Honored Worker of Arts of Russia (1994), Honored Worker of Polish Culture (1988), Honored Worker of Arts of Ukraine (2004). Member of the Russian Academy of Arts (1997), Russian Academy of Television (1994) and Eurasian Academy of Television (2001). Was decorated by the Order of Friendship (Russian Federation, 2004), the Officers Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (1997), the Order of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (Ukraine, 1997) and also by numerous medals. The Cavalier of the Honorary Golden Bagde of Merit Public Recognition (1999), Laureate of the Irina Archipova Foundation Prize (2001), Laureate of the Moscow Prize (2002)

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