The 2013 Russian Federation National Award in Literature and Arts has been awarded to Yury Bashmet for his contribution to developing Russian and world culture
Yury Bashmet was born on January 24, 1953 in Rostov-on-Don. He is the artistic director and chief conductor of the New Russia [Novaya Rossiya] State Symphony Orchestra, National Artist of the USSR. Mr Bashmet has been awarded the Order for Services to the Fatherland III degree (2002) and IV degree (2013), and the Order of Honour (2008). He is the winner of several Russian Federation National Awards in Literature and Arts (1993, 1996, 2001).
Yury Bashmet is a world-renowned musician, an outstanding violist, conductor, educator and public figure.
His extensive creative, educational and public work has been varied and includes rich touring programme, heading the New Russia Symphony Orchestra and the Moscow Soloists Chamber Orchestra, and organising musical festivals such as December Nights (Moscow), Elba Music Island of Europe (Italy), the Winter International Arts Festival (Sochi) and the Yury Bashmet music festivals in Minsk, Yaroslavl, Khabarovsk and Penza.
As the head of the viola department at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, Mr Bashmet gives a great deal of attention to educating young, talented musicians. He heads the CIS Children’s Music Academy (Novokuibyshevsk) and the CIS Youth Music Academy (Minsk).
Mr Bashmet takes part in some of the largest international charity events. His International Charity Foundation founded the Shostakovich prize for outstanding achievements in world art.
The 2013 Russian Federation National Award in Literature and Arts has been presented to Fazil Iskander for his contribution to the development of Russian literature
Fazil Iskander was born on March 6, 1929 in Sukhum, Abkhazia. He is a writer who has been awarded the Order for Services to the Fatherland II degree (2004), III degree (1999), IV degree (2009), winner of the USSR State Prize (1989), the Russian Federation National Award in Literature and Arts (1993), the Russian Federation National Award in Culture (2011), and many other professional awards and prizes. Mr Iskander is one of the most renowned writers in Russia, a patriarch of Russian literature, who has created a unique, recognisable artistic universe. The bright, folkloric colours of the Caucasus are mixed in his works with the traditions of great Russian prose. His Constellation Kozlotura, Sandro of Chegem, Rabbits and Boa Constrictors, The Man and His Surroundings and other works have long been considered classics in Russian literature. The writer’s name is widely known not just in Russia but also abroad. His works have been translated into many different languages and adapted into films. Mr Iskander’s books are modern, truthful, courageous and very human, full of subtle psychology and deep lyricism.
The 2013 Russian Federation National Award in Literature and Arts has been awarded to producer Leonid Vereshchagin, producer Anton Zlatopolsky, and director Nikolai Lebedev for the Legenda No. 17 film.
Leonid Vereshchagin was born on August 25, 1953, in Moscow. He is general director of Nikita Mikhalkov’s TRITE Studio, winner of the 1996 and 1999 Russian Federation National Award in Literature and Arts; he has won professional awards both at home and abroad.
Mr Vereshchagin is a world-renowned producer who has produced films by directors such as Nikita Mikhalkov, Sergei Solovyev, Vladimir Khotinenko, Alexander Adabashyan, Sergei Gazarov, Eldar Ryazanov, and also Jiri Menzel, Philip Noyce, Bernard Rose, and Kathryn Bigelow.
Anton Zlatopolsky was born on September 12, 1966, in Moscow. He is first deputy general director of the National State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company and has been awarded the Order of Friendship (2006) and the Order of Honour (2010).
Mr Zlatopolsky has worked in television since 1988 and is the producer of many successful television projects, including Master and Margarita, The First Circle, Life and Fate, and The White Guard, and the films Taras Bulba and Stalingrad.
Nikolai Lebedev was born on November 16, 1966, in Chisinau. He was laureate of the 2003 Russian Federation National Award in Literature and Arts, and has received a number of professional awards.
Mr Lebedev is one of Russia’s most prominent film directors today. He works successfully in a broad range of genres from chamber psychological thrillers to epic sports dramas. His films Snake Spring, The Admirer, The Star, and Wolfhound of the Grey Hound Clan have been big events in Russian cinema.
The film Legenda No. 17 is one of the milestones in Russian cinema over recent years. The film was released in 2013 and became one of the most popular releases in modern Russian cinema history. It was much discussed and critically acclaimed by professionals and viewers, critics and specialists. The film’s powerful patriotic message struck a real chord with viewers and drew them in with its story of a real national victory and a hero that everyone could relate to and feel close to.
The film won the viewers’ prize at the Kinotavr film festival, the Grand Prix at the Volokolamsky Rubezh film festival, the Golden Eagle Film Award (2013) and the Georges Award (2014).