Honored and People's Artist - what's the difference? The fashion for high-profile state titles has seized Russian show business. What is the difference between a People's Artist and an Honored Artist?

"People's Artist Russian Federation"is the highest honorary title of the Russian Federation, which is included in the state award system of the Russian Federation. Awarded for outstanding achievements in the field of theater, music, circus, pop and film arts.

AiF.ru talks about how to receive the title of People's Artist of the Russian Federation.

How to receive the title of People's Artist of the Russian Federation?

The title "People's Artist of the Russian Federation" is awarded to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the development and preservation of the national artistic culture, formation younger generation artists and received wide recognition from the public and professional community. The title can be received by:

artists;
choreographers,
conductors;
playwrights;
composers;
directors;
choirmasters;
musical performers.

According to the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated September 7, 2010 N 1099 “On measures to improve the state award system of the Russian Federation”, 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" (for ballet dancers performing the first roles - no earlier than after 5 years).

People's Artist of the Russian Federation. Photo: Public Domain

When is the title of People's Artist of the Russian Federation awarded?

The President of the Russian Federation issues a decree conferring the honorary title “People’s Artist of the Russian Federation” once a year on the eve of the celebration of Cultural Worker’s Day (March 25).

What is the badge of the People's Artist of the Russian Federation?

The badge has a uniform shape for honorary titles of the Russian Federation with a height of 40 mm and a width of 30 mm 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 located State emblem Russian Federation. On the front side, in the central part, a cartouche with an inscription is placed on the wreath - the name of the honorary title.

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.

Badges of the honorary title “People’s Artist of the Russian Federation”, issued after September 7, 2010, are gold-plated.

During their lifetime, many brilliant Soviet artists were awarded the highest state awards. However, some domestic film stars, despite popular love, were left without honorary titles.
Andrey Alexandrovich Mironov, who played dozens of bright, memorable roles in films, played in the theater and performed on stage. Among domestic film lovers, there is, perhaps, not a single person who does not love this wonderful artist. In August 1987, Mironov was on tour in Riga and during the performance he lost consciousness right on stage. Two days later, the artist passed away in the hospital - the doctors were unable to 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 “People’s Artist of the RSFSR.” He did not live to see his merits 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 holder of the title “People’s Artist of the RSFSR.” He was awarded it in 1976. Several decades later Soviet country Leonid Vyacheslavovich passed away and did not manage to receive 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 made his films at a film studio in Kyiv). It is quite possible that he would have been awarded the “People’s Artist of the USSR” if not for the absurd tragedy that cut short 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 this status. Let us note that the poet and actor was in second place on the list of domestic idols of the 20th century. Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin took first place. Named after the poet and actor huge amount streets in various cities of Russia and abroad. He was a man who had a colossal influence on the development of national culture, but was not awarded the title of “People's Artist of the USSR”. Vysotsky was an inconvenient person for the party leadership, since his heroes often spoke the truth from stage and screen, and his poems made them think. During his lifetime, the work of Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky was not approved by the state, so he had no official awards. Only in 1986 was he posthumously awarded the title of “People’s Artist of the RSFSR”.

In the filmography of a bright artist Yuri Kuzmenkova 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 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 to her husband overseas. Elena returned to her homeland in 1993, but the USSR no longer existed, and accordingly this title also sunk into oblivion. Elena Alekseevna is also known as the author of several books.

The presence of the title “people’s” or “honored” in the announcement of a play, film or any other event after the name and surname of the artist always attracts many spectators to the show. And the point is not even in the loud and proud sound of such titles, but in the fact that artists of this rank always delight the viewer with a selfless performance that penetrates deep into the viewer’s soul, acting on him like a drug, forcing him to come to the performances of great artists again and again. People's Artists of Russia and the USSR– figures of theatre, music, cinema, pop and circus, whose talent and dedication were recognized and appreciated at the state level. This title was the highest honorary award for an artist.

Creativity and politics

As a rule, it takes an artist dozens of years of hard work creative work and to receive something less honorable in the hierarchy of awards, but by no means detracting from the breadth people's love to the artist the title of “Honored Artist”. Honored Artists of Russia and the USSR are representatives of the creative elite who have earned recognition from more than one generation of admirers.

During the existence of the USSR creative career artist consisted of three main steps: receiving the title of Honored Artist of one (and maybe several) of the fifteen republics. Then he was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the USSR and, only after that, there was a chance to climb to the highest level of the creative career pedestal - to receive the title of People's Artist of the USSR.

Unfortunately, the management machine in the Union was built in such a way that an artist who received one of the high ranks could be dethroned from the podium and sent into distant exile (a striking example is the fate of Marshal of Victory Georgy Zhukov’s favorite and friend Lidia Ruslanova) from which , often did not return. There have been cases when creators were specifically “squeezed” and, under all sorts of pretexts, leaders withdrew their candidacy from nomination for honorary titles. So, by some inexplicable and absurd accident, the favorite of both adults and children, the performer of the unforgettable roles of Tortilla Turtle and Mrs. Hudson, Rina Zelenaya, was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR on the day of her death. On April 1, 1991, a decree was issued to confer the title, and a few hours later the artist died. Yes and Diva Soviet stage Alla Pugacheva literally jumped into the closing door, having managed to become People's Artist USSR. Many, whose popularity surpassed all, although non-existent at that moment, ratings, were completely left without the titles of Honored or People's Artist of the USSR. These were the actor Andrei Mironov, who was prevented from receiving the title early care from life, and Vladimir Vysotsky, who, according to the unanimous opinion of the country's leaders, lacked patriotism.

Now times are not the same, and government bodies are unlikely to refuse to receive the title of Honored Artist of Russia, which is awarded by decrees of the President of the Russian Federation, if a reasonable request has been submitted to them.

The title of People's Artist of Russia is awarded annually by presidential decree on the eve of Cultural Worker Day. As a rule, the title of “People’s” Artist can be obtained no earlier than after 10 years of holding the title of “Honored” Artist of Russia. For ballet dancers, this period is half as long. For obvious reasons, the life of a ballet dancer is short and titles come to them earlier than to theater, circus, pop or film artists.

People's Artists of Russia

We present to your attention a list of People's Artists of Russia:

Alentova Vera Valentinovna (1992)– performer leading role in the cult, Oscar-winning film “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears.”
Kamburova Elena Antonovna (1995)– actress and singer, in whose voice many heroes of fairy tales and films for children sang. The musical prelude of the TV magazine “Yeralash” is performed by her.
Leontyev Valery Yakovlevich (1996)– singer, actor, winner of many domestic and foreign music awards.
Makovetsky Sergey Vasilievich (1998)- actor who received an award from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate - Order of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Kadysheva Nadezhda Nikitichna (1999)- performer of songs in folk style.
Druzhinina Svetlana Sergeevna (2001)– actress, director of the popular “Midshipmen, Forward!” Her role as the beautiful Anfisa from the film “Girls” became business card film.
Zakharova Alexandra Markovna (2001)– the criticism that constantly rained down on her from the lips of the director’s father did not break her and allowed her to achieve high recognition.
Pevtsov Dmitry Vladimirovich (2001)– theater and film actor, actively participating in musicals, has excellent vocals.
Tsiskaridze Nikolai Maksimovich (2001)– former soloist of the Bolshoi Theater ballet. Nowadays he is a teacher.
Liepa Ilze Marisovna (2002)– former prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theater, successor of a famous ballet family. Now Ilse is actively trying herself as a dramatic actress.
Shakhnazarov Karen Georgievich (2002)- director, general manager association "Mosfilm".
Bezrukov Sergey Vitalievich (2008)– perhaps the most recognizable and popular Russian actor.
Netrebko Anna Yurievna (2008)- Russian soprano. Currently lives in Austria.

Honored Artists of Russia

No less popular are the Honored Artists of Russia, many of whom will soon certainly receive the title of “national”:

Vdovichenkov Vladimir Vladimirovich.
Mazaev Sergey Vladimirovich (2010)– singer, head of his own record company.
Epple Zhanna Vladimirovna (2010)- film and Moscow actress drama theater them. Stanislavsky.
Drobysh Viktor Yakovlevich (2010)– composer, music producer.
Mikhailov Stanislav Vladimirovich (2010)– singer, lover of all women.
Guseva Ekaterina Konstantinovna (2009)- a singing actress who sang at the North Pole in 2002.
Smekhova Alika Veniaminovna (2008)- actress, daughter of the main Athos of the country.
Shukshina Maria Vasilievna (2008)- daughter famous actors was simply doomed to a successful acting career.

People's Artists of the USSR

Today, many more creators who also have the title of People’s Artists of the USSR perform on the theater, film and pop stages:

Pugacheva Alla Borisovna (1991)- just a prima donna.
Inna Mikhailovna Churikova (1991)- for her first role as the mischievous Marfushka in the fairy tale “Morozko” she received a prize from the leader of what was then Czechoslovakia.
Mark Anatolyevich Zakharov (1991)– theater and film director, teacher, professor.
Yuri Abramovich Bashmet (1991)– violist, conductor, teacher.
Galina Borisovna Volchek (1989) – artistic director Theater "Sovremennik", director.
Edita Stanislavovna Piekha (1988)- the most sophisticated singer of the Soviet stage. She owes her style and unusual manner of performance to her French-Polish roots.
Sofia Mikhailovna Rotaru (1988)- singer, popular favorite.

Honored Artists of the USSR

Many representatives of the creative environment, having the title of People's Artists of Russia, graduated from the era of the Soviet Union with the Title of Honored Artists of the USSR:

Serov Alexander Nikolaevich (1991)- Soviet, Russian pop singer.
Hvorostovsky Dmitry Alexandrovich (1990)- Russian baritone, after whom one of the asteroids is named.
Sanaeva Elena Vsevolodovna (1990)– Fox Alice of Soviet cinema.
Dogileva Tatyana Anatolyevna (1989)- the most famous blonde of Soviet cinema.
Buldakov Alexey Ivanovich (1989)- Honored General of Russian Cinema.
Vinokur Vladimir Natanovich (1984)- master of parodies. In his real life there were no less happy accidents and comical incidents than his stage images.

At the end of May, Mikhail Trukhin, well known from the TV series “Streets of Broken Lanterns,” became an Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, and singer Dmitry Malikov became a People’s Artist; in June, the title of Honored Artist was awarded to actress Lydia Velezheva, and People’s title to film director Vladimir Khotinenko. As it turns out, now it is a rare pop performer or popular actor who does not have the honorary title of a well-deserved and popular one - if not Russia, then at least Chechnya. Why the titles remaining from the times of the USSR are still so significant and how they can be obtained, the correspondent of “Our Version” tried to find out.

In the Soviet Union there was a whole system of distributing titles. There was a strict hierarchy of titles for cultural figures: from “zasrakov” (Honored Cultural Workers) to People’s Artists of the USSR. Each level had its own benefits and privileges. According to this table of ranks, not only apartments, cars and bonuses were distributed, but also places in line to see a doctor or for scarce goods. For example, at the Moscow Art Theater on tour, the People's Artist of the USSR was entitled to a sleeping car and a suite in a hotel, the honored one was given a compartment and a single room, and the rest were accommodated in twos or threes. People, in general, were valued most highly. They were officially entitled to additional meters of living space, a state dacha, services in clinics and sanatoriums, as they now say, VIP class, as well as a black Volga to and from the performance. People's Muscovites were lucky twice - during life and after death. They had the right to be buried at the Novodevichy or Vagankovskoye cemetery in the capital. And the path to becoming a People's Artist of the USSR was not easy: first you had to become honored in an autonomous and union republic, then people's artist at the autonomous or republican level.

Yuri Yulianovich Shevchuk (by the way, a People's Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan) was seriously offended in 2005 when he learned that his friends were collecting documents for a petition to award the rocker the title of Honored Artist of Russia

Nowadays, the titles of Honored and People's Artist do not give any privileges. Only the badge and signature “N.A. RF” in small print on the posters speaks of a certain selectivity. True, in the regions, by decision local authorities artists can be paid several thousand rubles extra for their achievements. Thus, in wealthy Ugra, one-time bonuses are established for them from the governor of the autonomous region in the amount of 30 and 15 thousand rubles, respectively. In the Nizhny Novgorod region they took a different route and approved the bill “On additional material support for special merits in the field of sports and culture.” And now every month they give 2 thousand rubles to fellow countrymen with titles.

These amounts cannot be compared with what pop stars earn on tour and what popular film and television actors receive for filming. Nevertheless, interest in the titles on the part of our stars does not wane. Many of them dream of receiving the coveted badge, as it is still prestigious. And if in Soviet years You could count on recognition from the authorities only at a fairly advanced age, but in the present time youth is not a hindrance to the title. Nikolai Tsiskaridze was only 27 years old when he received the opportunity to sign as a people's signature of the Russian Federation, Anastasia Volochkova was only 26 when she received her well-deserved one, despite all the scandals associated with her name. Evgeny Mironov and Dmitry Pevtsov became popular at 38, circus trainer Mstislav Zapashny even earlier - at 36.

The youngest People's Artist of the USSR was 30-year-old Muslim Magomayev. And this was a unique exception, which only confirmed the rule: truly outstanding creators achieved the highest state recognition. “It seems to me that it is impossible to take seriously what is happening now,” says the actor and People's Artist USSR Vladimir Zeldin. – Titles are awarded not for achievements, but for some momentary glory. Today the “Star Factory” is considered popular. And in my opinion, this is a piece goods. And when a girl with luxurious hair, a good figure and a pretty face, beautiful eyes becomes popular - this is wrong.

It wasn't very good for actors before financial situation, the salaries were paid small. But this was compensated by the titles - Honored, People's. With the help of the title it was possible to solve various social and everyday problems: to get, say, an apartment. This is not the case abroad, but in our country there are certain traditions. I am very proud of my titles. I received them in Soviet times - I myself am a product of that time - and I value them very much. There was a lot of positive things about theater and film actors back then. Of course, there were hard times, and not everything was smooth. But, I repeat, holding the title of People’s Artist of the USSR is very honorable for me.”

IN recent years We hold the stage in high esteem. In 2004, along with actress Chulpan Khamatova, the title of Honored Artist of Russia was received by composer Arkady Ukupnik. A little later - pop singer Alena Sviridova. And in Soviet times, titles rarely went to representatives of the “light genre”. The pioneer was Leonid Utesov: he was awarded the People's Artist of the USSR in 1965 “based on age” - on his 70th birthday. He was followed by Arkady Raikin (1968), Klavdiya Shulzhenko (1971) and Yuri Bogatikov (1985). Even Joseph Kobzon became popular only in 1987. Recognition was given mainly to theater and film actors, directors, opera and ballet dancers. And not all of them, even among the most famous and popular. Vladimir Vysotsky died as a simple artist of the Taganka Theater, just like Oleg Dal. Andrei Mironov became an Honored Artist of the RSFSR at 33, when he had a dozen roles in cult comedies behind him, and a People's Artist of the RSFSR six years later, having played 18 years at the super-popular Satire Theater. To people's USSR he didn't make it. Vyacheslav Tikhonov was made popular only two years after Stirlitz.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many artists manage to receive titles in several countries at once, such as Alexander Malinin - he is popular in both Russia and Ukraine. Nikolai Baskov became popular in Russia, Ukraine and Chechnya. The audience simply does not know many of the newly-minted laureates, and of those they know, half are not considered serious artists. Not everyone understands what highly artistic images were created, for example, by Anastasia Melnikova, Anna Kovalchuk or Anastasia Zavorotnyuk.

“Today these titles are completely meaningless. Just look at our television, where some voiceless boys and girls are jumping around desperately. This is complete profanation,” says singer and director of the Opera Singing Center Galina Vishnevskaya. – An artist should not have a title, but a name that speaks for itself. In general, I think that these titles are now formal and unnecessary. In Soviet times, since they existed, they had to be received. Then it was like this: if you don’t have a title, it means you’re worth nothing. Accordingly, the attitude towards you, especially in the eyes of officials, who care little about your talents, but only care about titles and awards. Well, it gave some benefits then. For example, they immediately called me and informed me that they were assigning me to the Kremlin clinic. And that was really important."

Some of the artists do not even want to go to the honored ones for some time - as they should be, but want to go straight to the folk ones. Thus, the permanent leader of “DDT”, having made sure that, according to the people’s regulations, they can appropriate only three years after the deserved one, Shevchuk stated the following: “Then I refuse. I’m sure that if the people at the top want it, they will give it to the people without any conditions.”

Indeed, not everywhere in Russia is from deserved to the people's way so long. In Chechnya, sometimes seconds count. In 2005 at anniversary party children's choreographic ensemble of Chechnya "Ziya" Diana Gurtskaya sang her new song The “wounded bird” and the only Russian star said hello in Chechen. Unexpectedly, then-President Alu Alkhanov appeared on stage and announced: after a conversation that had just taken place with the assistant to the President of Russia Aslambek Aslakhanov, a unanimous decision was made to award Diana the title of Honored Artist of the Chechen Republic, which quickly transformed into a national title. And Nikolai Baskov generally remained in the status of Honored Artist of the Chechen Republic for only a few seconds. When in Gudermes festive concert In honor of the awarding of the title of Hero of Russia to Ramzan Kadyrov, the Minister of Culture announced the new status to Nikolai, the hero of the occasion immediately corrected: the Basque is not deserved, but people's.

“They were truly folk artists. The same Yankovsky, for example,” said director Alexey German Jr. – I believe that this concept (not title!) has definitely been discredited. In principle, the problem cannot be solved by awarding titles, but the fact that the importance of cultural figures is assessed in terms of the frequency of their appearance on television is, of course, alarming. Therefore, it seems to me that artists should be celebrated somehow, but not with orders or badges. There must be some other recognition. After all, if you look at it, today people's artists are those who appear in Full House, and this is dangerous, because the entire culture is discredited. There is no one to look up to, and we are paying less and less attention to what is really worth paying attention to.”

If pop singers Although they receive titles quite easily, there is still paperwork in theaters. Although, unlike the Soviet Union, there are no quantitative restrictions. They say that in order to overcome bureaucracy, you need to find the right moment. For example, titles are well distributed in anniversary year theater and on various holidays.

“Here we need the support of the labor collective, which must nominate a candidate,” said the deputy chairman of the Union theatrical figures RF Gennady Smirnov. – Then the secretariat of the Union of Theater Workers formalizes support. This support, along with documents from the workforce, goes to the Ministry of Culture, where the issue is considered by the board. And only after this the documents are sent to the awards department in the presidential administration. All this can take from several months to several years. Alexander Kalyagin tried many times through the Ministry of Culture and the government to return benefits and an increase in pension for the honorary title, but, unfortunately, he never achieved any results. The answer is always the same: “If we now include artists, then after them will come honored agronomists, teachers, builders, and everyone will need to increase their salaries. In the meantime, the state doesn’t have the money for this.” But we have calculated that all artists who have left work and live today only on pensions should be given a monthly additional allowance; not so much money is needed.”

If the regalia were distributed by the people, then the list, which included 1006 names over 55 years, would be many times larger

At the end of August, another Decree of the President of the Russian Federation was issued on awarding the title “Honored Artist of Russia”. In the creative and creative environment and, of course, on social networks, a heated discussion flared up: who is worthy, who is not so worthy, who was not given it and why. But in the end, everyone unanimously 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 artists? Soviet times and on what principles it was awarded - about this in the material website.

Stalin's controlled 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 loved art, as well as the principle of “divide and conquer” and rightly believed that the creation of a selected creative elite would help him control the intelligentsia, from whom you never knew what to expect.

It is unknown how much the awarding of the title pleased its first 13 laureates. So, Konstantin Stanislavsky, one of the leaders of the Moscow Art Theater, in 1936, already seriously ill, put all his efforts into ensuring that the Art Theater did not completely become a court theater. A, former tsarist officer, later student Evgenia Vakhtangova, probably played other roles no worse than the roles Lenin, for which he was awarded a high rank.

How to walk up stairs without railings

Until 1991, it was very difficult to obtain the highest title in the creative community. Soviet Union had a very ramified administrative division, and first it was necessary to become an honored artist of a union or autonomous republic.

Someone had to take the trouble, give an impetus to the collection of documents, then it was necessary to go through numerous authorities. Moreover, it was impossible to guess where you would stumble on these stairs. 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 mentioning the name Vladimir Vysotsky, who died at 42 without any titles. A brilliant actor who did not sing any “opposition” songs Oleg Dal died at 39 years old. The whole country mourned him and was surprised that Dahl, it turns out, was not even “deserved.”

Oleg Dal in the film “Vacation in September”, 1979

After the well-deserved one, it was necessary to receive a “people’s honor” from one of the republics, and only then was awarded the title of People’s Artist of the USSR. But, as with every rule, there were exceptions.

When age doesn't matter

It was unspokenly believed that one could apply for the title of People's Artist of the Republic by the 40th anniversary, and above that 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 singerKulyash Baiseitova. A year later, this title was received by her peer from the Uzbek SSR Halima Nasyrova.

In 1973, a 31-year-old singer from Azerbaijan was awarded the honorary title, 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", he demanded to immediately award the title of People's Artist of the country to the 32-year-old Sergei Bondarchuk, bypassing the entire system.

There was also a completely funny incident, which over time turned into an anecdote. They say that when Brezhnev hinted that it was time to give the title of Honored Artist to the loud-voiced representative of the peoples Far North Cola Beldy thinking about something Leonid Ilyich declared: “We still have to earn what we deserve, let it be considered popular for now!”

Representatives of court culture immediately carried out the instructions of the Secretary General, and Kola Beldy became a People's Artist, bypassing the level of honored.

Long-term path to recognition

More often than not, artists spent decades reaching the title of folk, sometimes literally dying along the way. So the popular favorite died just a few days before receiving this title, and the actress who loved to joke Rina Zelenaya died on April 1, 1991, right on the day the corresponding decree was signed.

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

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