The message reads, in part:
“You are a worthy successor to the creative traditions established by a famous dynasty of actors. You have added vivid pages to the history of Russian film and animation and have deservedly earned the highest professional recognition and the public’s genuine love.
Each encounter with your generous and original talent and with the screen characters you create is a real joy for the viewers and a chance to be in contact with real art.”
Vasily Livanov is well known to Russian and international audiences above all as a film actor. He made his film debut in 1959, but he achieved wide recognition with the release of a film about legendary detective Sherlock Holmes in 1979. Mr Livanov was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire for his role in this film. Mr Livanov has also been the voice of numerous well-known cartoon characters.“