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Dmitry Medvedev awarded the Order for Services to the Fatherland I degree to former President of Bashkortostan Murtaza Rakhimov and President of the Russian Academy of the Arts Zurab Tsereteli. 

Director of the Global Climate and Ecology Institute Yury Izrael received the Order for Services to the Fatherland II degree.

The Order for Services to the Fatherland III degree was awarded to film director Vladimir Menshov, Artistic Director of Satirikon Theatre Konstantin Raikin, and Rector of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations [MGIMO] Anatoly Torkunov among others. 

Among those awarded the Order for Services to the Fatherland IV degree were stage and film actress Rimma Markova, Rector of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University Igor Fyodorov, and Director of the State Russian Museum Vladimir Gusev.

Test pilot Vasily Sevastyanov and Yury Tulchinsky, captain of the tanker Moscow University, which was attacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean, were awarded the Order of Courage. 

Those decorated with the Order of Honour included singer Tamara Gverdtsiteli and President of the Russian National Swimming Federation Vladimir Salnikov.

Recipients of the Order of Friendship included Honorary President of the CSKA Hockey Club Viktor Tikhonov.

Mr Medvedev also presented documents conferring honorary titles. Musician Dmitry Malikov was awarded the title People’s Artist of Russia, and violinist Dmitry Kogan was awarded the title Merited Artist of Russia.

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Speech at state decoration award ceremony

President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev: Dear friends,

It gives me sincere pleasure to welcome you to the Kremlin and congratulate you on receiving these high state decorations. It is no overstatement to say that each of you has your own unique story of success and personal achievement, and each of you is an example to countless others who seek to fulfil their potential and look to you with love and admiration.

I would like to say a few words about the recipients of the decorations being presented today. I want to start by naming Murtaza Rakhimov, who for many years worked with dedication and great professionalism as President of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Today he is being decorated with one of our country’s highest decorations, our highest, in fact – the Order for Services to the Fatherland I degree.

Change always brings with it new opportunities. Russia is changing today. We have set the goal of comprehensive national modernisation. Our country’s future lies in modern technology and a ‘smart’ economy. It is clear that the success of our transformations will depend in great part on our scientific achievements, and so it is no coincidence that those decorated today include talented scientists of world renown. 

The Order for Services to the Fatherland II degree is awarded today to Director of the Global Climate and Ecology Institute Yury Izrael. His fundamental works have laid the foundation for a number of new directions in science. Also decorated today is Vasily Glukhikh, member of Russia’s Academy of Sciences and scientific director of the St Petersburg Scientific Research Institute of Electrophysical Apparatus. He has played a direct part in developing unique new energy installations using thermonuclear synthesis. 

Science and education are always forward looking in nature. The universities in which Anatoly Torkunov and Igor Fyodorov work have developed longstanding traditions of scientific innovation, and today MGIMO [Moscow State Institute of International Relations] and the Bauman Moscow State Technical University are successfully introducing innovative teaching methods and actively combining education and research activities.

This year is Year of the Teacher in Russia, and so it gives me special pleasure to recognize the work of a teacher with more than 40 years’ experience in the job – Anna Razhbadinova. She has established a municipal education centre in Makhachkala [Daghestan], offering children not just the opportunities they need for success in their studies, but also for their harmonious development. 

There are many sportspeople here today, and some of them have made a great contribution to developing mass physical culture and training professional athletes. I am sure that many young sportspeople and everyone who loves sport will look to the example of four-times Olympic champion and President of Russia’s National Swimming Federation Vladimir Salnikov. I am sure too that the methods developed by our well known trainers Viktor Tikhonov and Dmitry Mediashvili will help to produce new achievements. 

It gives me pleasure to welcome Yury Tulchinsky, captain of the tanker Moscow University. He acted decisively and professionally when his ship came under the attack of armed pirates, and it was many ways thanks to his steadfast and competent action in this emergency situation that the crew was able to hold on until the anti-submarine ship Marshal Shaposhnikov came to their rescue. Mr Tulchinsky receives the Order of Courage.

Russia has always had an abundance of talent, and never a state decoration award ceremony goes by without us recognising the achievements of members of our arts community, without us paying tribute to those who have become genuine idols for several generations. This applies in full measure to wonderful actress Rimma Markova, film director Vladimir Menshov, Artistic Director of Satirikon Theatre Konstantin Raikin, and many others. Each work or performance we see from them is a real event.

It also gives me great pleasure to congratulate singer Tamara Gverdtsiteli, sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, and Anna Kereselidze-Perekrest, director of a Moscow school which includes a Georgian ethnic and cultural component in its curriculum. The high decorations they receive today are not just recognition of their talents, but also of their great personal contribution to developing inter-cultural dialogue and strengthening the fraternal ties between the Russian and Georgian peoples.

These ties go back through the centuries. By the way, we will soon mark the anniversary on August 4 – July 24 according to the old calendar – of the signing of the 1783 Treaty of Georgievsk, which laid the foundations for lasting friendship between our two peoples. No politicians can ever sour or tarnish this friendship, because it has genuinely stood the test of time and comes from the hearts of Russians and Georgians.

I have named only a few names, but those being decorated today include people from all walks of life, people who all share in common great talent, astounding ability to work hard, and love of their work and country. This is the secret of your success and I am sure that it is also the guarantee of our country’s prosperous future.

Once again, I congratulate you all. Let’s begin the award ceremony.