The 2009 Russian Federation National Award in Literature and Arts is conferred to Yevgeny Yevtushenko for his outstanding contribution to the development of Russian culture
Yevgeny Yevtushenko, poet.
Yevgeny Yevtushenko was born on July 18, 1932, in Zima junction, Irkutsk Region. In the sixty years of his creative work as a poet, he has gained a unique reputation by producing a vast, multifaceted array of works in poetry, prose, journalism, literary criticism, and cultural studies.
Mr Yevtushenko is also known for his cinematic works, playwriting, and poems that have been turned into lyrics for a variety of musical works.
The poet has always shared his fate with the historical fate of Russia. During the perestroika, Yevgeny Yevtushenko was engaged in active citizenship, speaking out in defence of rights and freedoms for his fellow citizens. In recent years, the poet has been spending most of his time in the US, where he teaches the history of Russian literature, but he still actively participates in Russia’s cultural life.
The 2009 Russian Federation National Award in Literature and Arts is conferred for the outstanding contribution to the development of Russian culture.