Better an honored artist or a folk artist. Battle for titles

He is the highest honorary title of the Russian Federation for outstanding services in the field of theatrical, musical, circus, pop and film art. Included in the state award system of the Russian Federation.

Established by decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee on August 10, 1931.

Since 1992, after changing the name of the state from "Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic" to "Russian Federation" (see Law of the RSFSR dated December 25, 1991 No. 2094-I) in the title of the title, as in all honorary titles, the word "RSFSR" was replaced by the words "Russian Federation", with a corresponding change in the badge.

Grounds for assignment

Chest sign

The title "People's Artist of the Russian Federation" is awarded to Russian artists, choreographers, conductors, playwrights, composers, directors, choirmasters, music performers who have created highly artistic images, musical works, concert and circus programs, theatrical and cinematographic roles and performing them who have made outstanding contributions in the development and preservation of the national artistic culture, the formation of a young generation of artists and received wide recognition from the public and professional community.

The honorary title "People's Artist of the Russian Federation" is awarded, as a rule, no earlier than 10 years after the award of the honorary title "Honored Artist of the Russian Federation" or "Honored Artist of the Russian Federation" 5 years).

Assignment procedure

The President of the Russian Federation issues a decree on awarding the honorary title "People's Artist of the Russian Federation" once a year on the eve of the celebration of the Day of the Cultural Worker (March 25). Rank history

History

For the first time the honorary title "People's Artist of the Republic" was established by the Soviet government in 1919. Among the first folk artists were: the composer A. K. Glazunov, the singers F. I. Shalyapin and L. V. Sobinov. In the USSR from 1936 to 1991, the highest honorary title following the highest republican title was “People's Artist of the USSR”.

After the collapse of the USSR, the name of the state was changed from “Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic” to “Russian Federation”. In the names of all honorary titles, the old name of the state “RSFSR” was replaced by “Russian Federation”. Until March 30, 1996, instead of the title "People's Artist of the RSFSR", the honorary title "People's Artist of the Russian Federation" was awarded with the corresponding inscriptions on the badges.

In 1995, the honorary titles were re-established with new badges by decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 1341 to replace the honorary titles established when the republic was part of the USSR.

The honorary title "People's Artist of the Russian Federation" was established by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated December 30, 1995 No. 1341 "On the establishment of honorary titles of the Russian Federation, approval of the provisions on honorary titles and description of the badge for honorary titles of the Russian Federation." The same decree approved the original Regulation on the honorary title, which stated:

The honorary title "People's Artist of the Russian Federation" is awarded no earlier than five years after the award of the honorary title "Honored Artist of the Russian Federation" or "Honored Artist of the Russian Federation" to artists, directors, choreographers, conductors, choirmaster, music performers who have created highly artistic images performances, films, television plays, television films, concert, variety, circus programs, musical, television and radio works, which have made an outstanding contribution to the national artistic culture and received wide public recognition.

In its present form, the Regulation on the title of honor was approved by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated September 7, 2010 No. 1099 "On measures to improve the state award system of the Russian Federation."

Chest sign

The badge has a uniform shape for honorary titles of the Russian Federation, 40 mm high and 30 mm wide and is made of silver. It has the shape of an oval wreath formed by laurel and oak branches. The ends of the branches crossed at the bottom are tied with a bow. On the top of the wreath is the State Emblem of the Russian Federation. On the front side, in the central part, a cartouche with the name of the honorary title is superimposed on the wreath.

On the reverse side there is a pin for attaching the badge to clothing. The badge is worn on the right side of the chest.

If the people were distributing the regalia, the list, which included 1006 names in 55 years, would be many times larger.

At the end of August, another Decree of the President of the Russian Federation was issued on the awarding of the title "Honored Artist of Russia". In the creative and near-creative environment and, of course, in social networks, a heated discussion erupted: who is worthy, who is not very much, to whom and why they were not given. And in the end, everyone agreed that the title "now" is not at all the same as "then."

What did the highest title of People's Artist of the country mean for art workers in Soviet times and on what principles it was awarded - about this in the material site.

Stalin's ruled elite

The title "People's Artist of the USSR" replaced the title "People's Artist of the Republic", which had existed since 1919. Joseph Stalin he loved art, as well as the principle of "divide and conquer" and rightly believed that the creation of a select creative elite would help him manage the intelligentsia, from which you never know what to expect.

It is not known how much the awarding of the title made its first 13 laureates happy. So, Konstantin Stanislavsky, one of the leaders of the Moscow Art Theater, in 1936, already seriously ill, put all his efforts to ensure that the Art Theater did not finally become a courtier. A, a former tsarist officer, later a student Evgeniya Vakhtangova, probably played other roles no worse than roles Lenin, for which he was awarded a high rank.

How to walk up stairs without railings

It was very difficult to get the highest title in the creative environment until 1991. The Soviet Union had a very ramified administrative division, and at first it was necessary to become an honored artist of a union or autonomous republic.

Someone had to bother, give an impetus to the collection of documents, then it was necessary to go through numerous instances. Moreover, it was impossible to guess where you would stumble on this staircase. Nationality could hinder or help, party affiliation also did not matter, for example, People's Artists of the USSR Maya Plisetskaya, Yuri Yakovlev and many others were not members of the CPSU.

Barbara Brylska and Yuri Yakovlev in the film "The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!", 1975

Popularity and demand were also not decisive conditions, just mention the name Vladimir Vysotsky who died at 42 without any titles. A genius actor who did not sing any "opposition" songs Oleg Dal died at 39. The whole country mourned him and was surprised that Dal, it turns out, was not even "deserved".

Oleg Dal in the film "Vacation in September", 1979

After the deserved one had to get a "people's" one of the republics, and only then was the title of People's Artist of the USSR awarded. But, as with every rule, there were exceptions.

When age doesn't matter

It was tacitly believed that the title of People's Artist of the Republic could be sought for by the 40th anniversary, and even higher - only by the seventh decade.

But even in the very first list of People's Artists of the USSR there was a 24-year-old Kazakh opera singer Kulyash Baiseitova... A year later, this title was given to her peer from the Uzbek SSR. Halima Nasyrova.

In 1973, a 31-year-old singer from Azerbaijan was awarded the honorary title, who for many years became the "golden voice" of the USSR.

Muslim Magomayev was a truly people's artist. Photo: KP

When Joseph Stalin saw the movie “ Taras Shevchenko", Then demanded to immediately confer the title of People's Artist of the country to 32-year-old Sergey Bondarchuk, bypassing the entire system.

There was also a completely curious case, which eventually turned into an anecdote. They say that when Brezhnev hinted that it would be time to give the title of Honored Artist to the sonorous representative of the peoples of the Far North Cola Beldy thinking about something Leonid Ilyich said: "The deserved still needs to be earned, even if it looks like a folk!"

Representatives of the court culture immediately fulfilled the order of the secretary general, and Kola Beldy became a people's artist, bypassing the stage of deserved one.

Long-term path to recognition

Most often, for decades, artists went to the title of folk, sometimes literally dying along the way. So the popularly beloved died just a few days before receiving this title, and the actress who loved to joke Rina Zelena died on April 1, 1991, right on the day the corresponding decree was signed.

Mark Bernes did not live up to the rank for only a few days. Photo: TASS

Despite the fact that there was an unspoken instruction not to assign the title of People's Artists of the USSR to very elderly artists, 18 representatives of the art sphere received it at the age of 80 or more.

Stanislav Lyudkevich in the 50s.

Well-known figures of theater, cinema, stage can become people's and honored artists of Russia. What are the features of the respective honorary statuses?

What is the title of "People's Artist" awarded for?

Rank People's Artist can be awarded to cultural figures in such areas as cinema, television, ballet, music, theater, circus. At the same time, a person can be a performer (for example, in the status of an artist or dancer) or hold some responsible position (for example, be a director, choreographer, conductor, choirmaster, playwright).

The title "People's Artist" is included in the system of state awards of Russia. The grounds for its assignment may be:

• the creation of outstanding musical works, concert programs, highly artistic images, films, theatrical performances, or making a significant contribution to their display in public through personal performance of roles;
• significant personal contribution to the development of domestic art, artistic culture, education of new generations of creative people;
• the presence of merits recognized by the public, as well as by representatives of the professional community, experts, critics.

The title of People's Artist is awarded to a person who has outstanding achievements in the field of art, by decree of the President of the Russian Federation. Usually, the corresponding normative act is timed to coincide with the Day of the Cultural Worker - that is, by March 25.

In order to receive the title of People's Artist, a person, as a rule, must have work experience in the field of art, which is at least 10 years after being awarded another Russian honorary title - Honored Artist. Consider what are the conditions for obtaining it by art workers.

What is the title of "Honored Artist" awarded for?

Rank honored artist, like the status of People's Artist, is assigned to representatives of the same spheres of art and professional roles. Likewise, it is included in the system of Russian state awards.

The grounds for awarding the title of Honored Artist are as follows:

1. the representative of the art sphere has personal merits in the creation of cinema, theatrical performances, highly artistic images, concert programs, musical works that are highly appreciated by the public and recognized by representatives of the professional community, experts, critics;
2. personal participation of a representative of the art sphere in the preservation and development of art schools (primarily national), in the development of classical images of Russian culture;
3. active participation of a representative of the art sphere in socially significant cultural events - concerts and various performances, which are aimed at educating young people, popularizing the national culture of the Russian Federation abroad, associated with charitable activities;
4. active participation of a representative of the art sphere in concert activities, the organization of theatrical performances, the creation of various cultural programs, which, again, received public recognition, and also allowed Russian artists to adequately represent their country abroad at various festivals.

The title of Honored Artist, as a rule, is awarded on the condition that a person's total work experience in the field of art is at least 20 years from the date of commencement of activity in the field of culture and creativity. But ballet dancers have the right to apply for the corresponding award 10 years after the start of their creative work. The title of Honored Artist is awarded to a person, provided that he / she has industry awards from government departments.

As in the case of the title of People's Artist, a person acquires the status of an Honored Worker of Culture after a corresponding decree is issued by the President of the Russian Federation - on the basis of documents from the Commission on State Awards.

Comparison

The main difference between a People's Artist and a Honored Artist is that the first gets his title if he has significantly more experience in the field of art, and also, as a rule, provided that he already has the title of Honored Artist. Which can be acquired by a theater, cinema or stage figure in 10 or 20 years (in the first case, the title in question can be received by ballet dancers, in the second - by figures from other fields of art, if both have departmental awards).

The title of Honored Artist, therefore, precedes obtaining the status of People's Artist - a person can receive the second status 10 years after the first award has been awarded.

Both state awards are united by generally similar criteria for awarding, as well as the fact that both titles are awarded by decree of the President of the Russian Federation.

Having determined what is the difference between a folk and an honored artist, we will fix the conclusions in a small table.

table

National artist	Honoured Artist
What do they have in common?
Similar criteria for assignment
The condition for obtaining the title of People's Artist is the status of an Honored Artist
Both titles are included in the system of state awards
Both titles are awarded by decree of the President of Russia
What is the difference between them?
Assumes a longer experience of human activity in the field of art - as a rule, in general, it should be at least 30 years (20 years for ballet dancers) if the applicant has industry awards from government departments	Assumes a shorter experience of human activity in the field of art - at least 20 years (10 years - for ballet dancers) if the applicant for the corresponding title has industry awards

Many brilliant Soviet artists were awarded the highest state awards during their lifetime. However, some domestic movie stars, despite popular love, were left without honorary titles.
Andrey Alexandrovich Mironov, who played more than a dozen bright, memorable roles in the cinema, played in the theater and performed on the stage. Among domestic film lovers, there is, perhaps, not a single person who would not love this wonderful artist. In August 1987, Mironov was on tour in Riga and during the performance he lost consciousness right on the stage. Two days later, the artist passed away in the hospital - the doctors could not save Andrei Alexandrovich. The cause of his death was a massive cerebral hemorrhage. Seven years before the tragedy in Riga, Mironov was awarded the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR. He did not live to see his services recognized by the state in the form of the title "People's Artist of the USSR".
Magnificent Kuravlev, who was able to create unique lyrical and very funny images on the screen, is the owner of the title "People's Artist of the RSFSR". He was awarded him in 1976. Several decades later, the Soviet country was gone and Leonid Vyacheslavovich did not manage to get the "People's Artist of the USSR". Note that in 2012, the beloved artist was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree for his enormous contribution to the development of culture and art.

Actor and director Leonid Bykov passed away as a result of a terrible car accident in 1979. Bykov had many state titles and awards. In 1973, Leonid Fedorovich was awarded the title "People's Artist of the Ukrainian SSR" (Bykov lived in Ukraine and shot his films at a film studio in Kiev). It is quite possible that he would have been assigned the "People's Artist of the USSR" if not for the ridiculous tragedy that ended the life of 50-year-old Bykov.



About Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky a lot has been said and written. He was a real People's Artist, but without official recognition of this status. Note that the poet and actor was in second place in the list of Russian idols of the 20th century. Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin took the first place. A huge number of streets in various cities of Russia and abroad are named after the poet and actor. He was a man who had a tremendous impact on the development of Russian culture, but was not awarded the title of "People's Artist of the USSR". Vysotsky was an inconvenient person for the leadership of the party, since his characters often spoke the truth from the stage and from the screen, and his poems made one think. The work of Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky during his lifetime was not approved by the state, so he did not have official awards. Only in 1986 he was posthumously awarded the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR.

In the filmography of a bright artist Yuri Kuzmenkov more than a hundred paintings. The actor had an amazing, multifaceted talent - his characters (mostly Kuzmenkov starred in small roles) were often remembered by the audience much better than the central characters. Like many artists from our selection, Kuzmenkov was "People's Artist of the RSFSR". Kuzmenkov was not destined to receive a higher rank.

During his acting career Elena Koreneva starred in more than fifty films and played in several theatrical productions. Koreneva was not destined to receive the title of "People's Artist of the USSR" most likely because she married an American and went overseas to her husband. Elena returned to her homeland in 1993, but the USSR no longer existed, respectively, this title has also sunk into oblivion. Elena Alekseevna is also known as the author of several books.

Who and how decides whether or not to be a star "deserved" and "popular", found out the site.

In March of this year, the Ministry of Culture of Russia finally approved the candidacy of musician Nikolai Noskov for the title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. True, a month earlier a refusal came from there. What changed? And how do artists get their titles - according to merit or for money?

Documents returned due to traffic police fine

Unfortunately, in our country, receiving awards depends on connections and on the petition of influential people. And Kolya has never asked anyone for anything and will not ask for anything, ”says musician Sergei Trofimov (Trofim) to the Interlocutor. - We posted a petition on the Internet in support of Nikolai Noskov and collected more than five thousand signatures. At the same time, they turned to the Union of Pop Figures to nominate Nikolai for the title. Once they also nominated me to the honored artist. True, this performance has lain somewhere in the "cultural" classrooms for more than three years. I am glad that on the second attempt, but the title was still awarded to Noskov. Who, if not him, should be deserved ?!

// Photo: Global Look Press

Recently, this is such a sore point, and I am glad that you are raising it, ”says Valeria Gushchina, senior consultant of the Actors Guild of the Union of Cinematographers of Russia. - Who are being awarded today and who are being awarded titles? How do they choose? Unclear! Cinema actor Igor Petrenko, who has starred in more than 50 films, has not been able to get what he deserves for several years, although he is a laureate of the State Prize of Russia. Recently they refused the title of national to the wonderful artist Mikhail Zhigalov, who devoted his whole life to theater and cinema. The main thing is that we are not even told the motivation for the refusals. Somehow they returned the documents of one artist, who has 96 film roles behind him. It turns out that he has not paid a traffic police fine of 230 rubles! And how many documents you need to collect! For example, they were obliged to have a certificate from the tax office. Well, what does this have to do with the talent of the artist ?!

Who paid for Baskov?

An artist must be nominated for a title or award by an organization: a theater, a film studio, a professional union, and so on. And the candidacy is considered by a special expert council under the Ministry of Culture. Today it consists of 34 people.

Under the chairmanship of Minister Vladimir Medinsky, directors Nikita Mikhalkov and Vladimir Khotinenko, President of the Academy of Arts Zurab Tsereteli, writer Yuri Polyakov, composer Alexei Rybnikov and other cultural figures gather once a year (on a voluntary basis, that is, free of charge) to decide the fate of artists. Each candidate is discussed separately, the submitted documents are studied (articles, videos - recordings of programs, excerpts from films, performances, concerts). Then they vote. It happens that at one meeting it is necessary to consider up to a hundred people. Of this number, the council may recommend ten people to be approved. Every year is different. And the final decision is made by the officials of the Ministry of Culture. Moreover, the selection criteria are not always obvious.

As a source in the ministry told "Interlocutor", the title of People's Artist of Russia was not approved for a long time by satirist Mikhail Zhvanetsky. Respected and beloved by the public, Michal Mikhalych was presented to the title in different years by various organizations - from the Mosconcert to the Variety Theater, but Zhvanetsky became popular only on the eve of his 80th birthday. But suspiciously early, the same title was awarded to the singer Nikolai Baskov - at that time he was 33 years old. They say that this is thanks to the former chairman of the State Duma, politician Gennady Seleznev. Say, he was so kind to Baskov that he put in a word for him. There are other rumors that the title of Nikolai was bought by his then producer, entrepreneur and father of the ex-wife of the singer Boris Spiegel. But the Ministry of Culture assures that it is impossible to buy a title or an award from them.

It is categorically ruled out in our country, - an employee of the department is indignant in a conversation with the "Interlocutor". - Although I can admit that this is possible somewhere at another stage: for example, pay someone in an organization that represents a person. But I think that it is not easy to do there too. Our council endeavors to consider each candidate objectively.

Previously, all this took a lot of time, not like now, - says the announcer of the Central Television, People's Artist of Russia Anna Shatilova. - First, they gave the lowest title - a well-deserved one. Then many years had to pass before you could be introduced to the folk. So many documents had to be collected, various commissions met! My candidacy was considered for six years. I had two creative characteristics: from the People's Artist of the USSR, radio announcer Yuri Levitan and from the People's Artist of the USSR, choreographer Igor Moiseev. I didn't even hope. But one day in 1988, they called from the Kremlin and said that they had to be at the presentation on the same day at 15:00. I couldn't because of work. Then I was invited to the presentation at the Ministry of Culture, but again I could not. In the end, I was handed a certificate and a badge at the Ostankino television center.

Dazzle the layman

Previously, People's Artists of the USSR were provided with additional meters of living space, service in elite clinics and sanatoriums, a hotel suite and tickets to SV, as well as a black Volga for the performance and after the performance, relied on tours. In addition, they paid a double pension.

Now artists with titles have no special privileges. The exception is those who live in Moscow, they are paid monthly 30 thousand rubles, - continues the story of Valery Gushchin. - But this innovation was introduced this year and it is not known whether the increase will continue next year. As soon as the honored and the people began to pay this amount, artists reached out to our guild with a request, even a demand, to nominate them for the title. They say: "This money would help me so much now!" We are trying to help somehow, but, I repeat, it does not always work out. But look at our pop young pop divas. Through one - honored and popular. Who awards them and on what basis ?!

Indeed, for example, Natasha Koroleva became deserved at the age of 29, while she said to the indignation of some: "I have nothing to be ashamed of!" Diana Gurtskaya received the same title at 28. For comparison: the pop "empress" Irina Allegrova became deserved for her 50th birthday. And although today the titles to the artists do not bring anything by and large (it is unlikely that the same Koroleva, with her concert fees, is in dire need of an additional 30 thousand), nevertheless it is prestigious. It's so nice to write in big letters on a billboard or announce from the stage: "An honored (people's) artist is performing ..." To dazzle the average man.

History of the issue

In 1896, five people from the troupe of the Alexandrinsky Theater became the first "Honored Artists of His Majesty the Imperial Theaters". Also one of the first to receive this title was the ballerina Matilda Kshesinskaya. In 1918, the title was officially canceled. A year later, another appeared - "People's Artist of the Republic". Fyodor Chaliapin was awarded the first (pictured). In 1931 this title was changed to "People's Artist of the RSFSR". At the same time, the "Honored Artist of the RSFSR" appeared. This title is awarded to those who have worked in the field of art for at least 10 years.

In 1936, Joseph Stalin signed a decree conferring the new title of People's Artist of the USSR. The artists of the Moscow Art Theater were the first to receive it. In 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, this title ceased to exist. In total, 1006 people became People's Artists of the USSR. Alla Pugacheva and Oleg Yankovsky were the last to receive it. Today, 146 people live with this title in the country. Throughout history, 31-year-old Muslim Magomayev became the youngest People's Artist of the USSR.

People's Artist of the USSR Igor Kirillov: I chew bread and butter. Sometimes - with caviar

The most honorable title in the Soviet Union was the announcer of Central Television Igor Kirillov in 1988.

// Photo: Andrey Strunin / "Interlocutor"

Lord, who needs this title now ?! - Igor Leonidovich exclaimed in a conversation with "Interlocutor". - Everything has already passed! And the Soviet Union is long gone. I still have the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR, and there is no such republic anymore. The title, of course, is an honorable one. But on odd days - it's just that. Is it an odd day today? This means that today I am a simple, normal pensioner. Leaving nature. Unfortunately.

- Wasn't it strange that the TV announcer was awarded such a prestigious, but still acting title?

Well, before me the title of the People's USSR was already received by radio announcers Yuri Levitan with Olga Vysotskaya, and the announcer of the Central Television, Valentina Leontyeva. I am not the first in this case. You know, this fact has not changed anything special in my life. Who I was, so I stayed. I am calm about the title, but with gratitude. And the benefits, which are so much talked about, were not. Anyway, I didn't use them. The car had its own, drove for over 60 years. And in everyday life, I didn't need so much, only work.

- Now your title does not give anything materially?

Well, they began to add 30 thousand rubles to the pension. This is the initiative of the Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin. Therefore, I chew bread and butter. And sometimes even with caviar.

Viktor Merezhko: I came to the Kremlin by metro

As a rule, titles and awards are presented in the Kremlin before any holiday - Russia Day, Constitution Day, New Year. The celebration takes place in the Catherine Hall of the Kremlin Palace.

// Photo: Global Look Press

I received a call from the presidential administration and invited me to come to the Kremlin on such and such a date to receive the award, ”says playwright Viktor Merezhko, who became People's Artist of the Russian Federation four years ago. - There was a recommendation to wear a black suit and tie, which, by the way, I do not wear in my life. I remember asking my neighbor Arkady Inin to tie it up for me, because I can't. I was not offered a car. I took the subway. I entered the Kremlin through the Spasskaya Tower.

For about an hour we were kept in some kind of dressing room, then they let us into the hall. There were pieces of paper with names on each chair. We waited for the President for about half an hour. A lot of people talked for five minutes, thanking their homeland and the president. It was exhausting for everyone. So I just went out, got the award, said thank you, and sat down. I didn't go to the podium, although no one forbade me. After the ceremony, glasses of champagne were brought in. There was a crush around the president, everyone wanted to be closer to him. I didn’t push people with my elbows, it’s somehow indecent. I drank champagne and went to the subway.

Folk without quotation marks

It happens that the artists loved by the people do not receive any title. For example, Vladimir Vysotsky or Oleg Dal. And this is understandable: how can you imagine that the Ministry of Culture of the USSR could seriously discuss the award to the rebel Vysotsky ?! Although he nevertheless became deserved, posthumously. Even today, many famous artists do not have any title. Alexander Baluev, Lyubov Tolkalina, Ivan Okhlobystin, Anna Ardova, Victoria Tolstoganova ...

Some artists give up titles themselves. For example, the leader of the DDT group, Yuri Shevchuk, did not want to receive the people's RF, because he was offended that he would receive this title after he was like a well-deserved ten years. Such rules. But Leonid Yarmolnik at one time was offered to jump over the well-deserved one and get the people's one right away. But he also refused.

// Photo: Global Look Press

I am deeply convinced that the artist should be known by name and by sight, ”Leonid expresses his opinion to the“ Interlocutor ”. - The title of national is depreciated in our country, it is practically already for everyone, although they are not Ulyanovs, not Evstigneevs, not Yakovlevs, not Efremovs, and so on. Or even simpler and more understandable: imagine - People's Artist of the United States Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino ...

The famous Athos - Veniamin Smekhov, who worked for many years at the Taganka Theater, was also left without a national title.

We, young people, were once introduced to the ranks, - recalls Veniamin Borisovich. - Then they recalled, because we were next to the disgraced director Yuri Lyubimov. Then they wanted to give again. And now the time has come when it is not necessary. After all, if a person you do not know comes with a statement: "I am the people's artist Golopupkin", you are unlikely to start treating him well. Ecclesiastes says: "A good name is dearer than a ringing suit." Therefore, when people from a high altitude hinted, and not to me, but to my wife Galina, that it should be, she honestly said: "He will not talk to you."

Who else?

Over the years, for various reasons, awards and titles were also refused: actor Alexei Devotchenko from the title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, writer Yuri Bondarev and artist Vakhtang Kikabidze from the Order of Friendship, musician Konstantin Kinchev from the medal "Defender of Free Russia", writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn from the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called ...

The material was published in the publication "Interlocutor" No. 12-2018.