The President’s Office does not know how many Russian citizens still have the title of People’s and Honoured
24 June 2024 17:43
ЕКСКЛЮЗИВ
Ukraine still has the institution of honorary titles of “Honoured” and “People’s” Artists of Ukraine. This tradition was inherited from the Soviet Union. The awards are conferred by the President of Ukraine in accordance with the procedure set out in the Law on State Awards of Ukraine.
Taisiya Povaliy, Ani Lorak and the Kroliky brothers Danilets and Moiseenko: today, Ukrainian zradniks still hold the honorary title of People’s Artist of Ukraine. Moreover, Russian cultural figures who once received the title of People’s and Honoured Artist in Ukraine and now support the war unleashed by Putin are not deprived of honorary titles either.
The response from the Presidential Office was somewhat unexpected. They say that they keep records of people with such awards, but there is no exact number.
“The Office of State Awards of the Department for Citizenship, Pardons, and State Awards of the Presidential Office of Ukraine keeps only personal records of persons (by surname, name, patronymic) who have received state awards of Ukraine.” – Office of the President of Ukraine
“People’s and Honoured Artists” with Russian passports
The titles “People’s Artist of Ukraine” and “Honoured Artist of Ukraine” are honorary titles. They are awarded to cultural and artistic figures for their significant contribution to the development of national culture. Both Ukrainian citizens and foreigners, including Russian citizens, can receive these titles. Until recently, the following Russian artists have been awarded honorary titles:
- Oleg Gazmanov – singer (deprived of the title in 2015)
- Iosif Kobzon – singer (the title was revoked in 2018)
- Philip Kirkorov – singer (dismissed from the title in 2022)
- Nikolai Baskov – singer (dismissed from the title in 2022)
However, there are people’s artists of Ukraine known for their pro-Russian stance who still hold the honorary title:
Ani Lorak is a singer who lives and performs in Russia. Her concerts in Ukraine have been repeatedly cancelled due to protests.
Taisiya Povaliy , a traitorous singer who, from the aggressor country, also voices propaganda theses such as “Russia is a source of spirituality”, and “ESVO” has become her salvation, also still holds an honorary title.
VolodymyrDanilets and Volodymyr Moiseenko, known as the Kroliky brothers. They supported the annexation of Crimea, are in the Myrotvorets base and, even before the full-scale invasion, complained on Russian propaganda TV channels about alleged harassment in Ukraine.
Ruzhena Rubleva is an actress of the Kherson Kulish Theatre, who agreed to the proposal of the occupation administration and took part in a rally-concert in Moscow. The artist, accompanied by the “Choir of the National Guard of the Russian Federation”, performed a musical composition that begins with the words “Birds do not sing here…”. Although Rubleva was sentenced to 10 years in prison on 26 March 2024, the status of People’s Artist still stands next to her surname.
Honoured artists of Ukraine are Russians
The status of some Russian artists who are listed as honoured artists in Ukraine is still unknown. For example, Valery Leontyev. Although, according to his friend Mikhail Hertzman, he is currently in the United States, in Miami, his position on the war in Ukraine is unknown. Only, as his close friend noted in an interview with a propaganda publication:
“I think that the atmosphere in Russia is not right now to return. He [Leontyev – ed.] does not understand what is happening. Many people are recognised as foreign agents. And he is quite old,” Mikhail Hertzman
However, not understanding what is happening is not the position of a person with access to information in the 21st century.
Among the defendants in the Register of Traitors maintained by the CHESNO Movement, there are Russian composers, poets, theatre artists, and singers, including Igor Krutoy, Alexander Malinin, Ilya Reznik, and Vladimir Bortko.
And here a logical question arises. Why do some artists not get their hands on them? Who should initiate the deprivation of honorary titles for other Russian cultural figures? If Baskov and Kirkorov got what they deserved because of their participation in propaganda activities that undermine Ukraine’s national security and promote disinformation. And the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed decrees to strip them of their titles. So what about those who silently wear the title of honoured?
How are artists stripped of their honorary titles?
Let me remind you that the mechanism of deprivation of the title “People’s Artist of Ukraine” is regulated by the legislation of Ukraine and includes several stages. The main steps include:
– An initiative to deprive a person of the title, which can come from citizens, public organisations, creative unions, government agencies or officials.
– Submission of a request to the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine or the Commission on State Awards and Heraldry under the President of Ukraine
– Consideration of the issue, verification of facts
– Recommendation of the Commission on State Awards and Heraldry on deprivation of the title
– Decision of the President of Ukraine.
Author – Anastasia Fedorov
