The message reads, in part:
“Viktor Merezhko, a talented playwright, screenwriter and film director, an extremely gifted and extraordinary person, has passed away. He served his calling in a loyal and selfless manner; he did a lot to preserve and develop the best traditions of national cinema art and enriched the country’s cultural life with bright and unique creative works.”
National Artist of Russia and USSR State Prize recipient Viktor Merezhko died in Moscow on January 30 at the age of 84.