On Day of Cultural Workers, the Theatre of Nations hosted the ceremony of the first National Prize for Cultural Management. Among the participants was conductor Filippo Dessi of the Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk State Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Other presenters included Presidential aide and Chairman of the Russian Military Historical Society Vladimir Medinsky; Chairman of the Union of Theatre Figures of the Russian Federation, People’s Artist of Russia Vladimir Mashkov; and Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the State Symphony Orchestra Novaya Rossiya Yuri Bashmet.

Dessi had the honour of presenting the national award to Marina Samuseva, winner in the special category Youth in Culture. She is the director of the Oleg Tabakov Theatre School at the Oleg Tabakov Theatre.

In total, nine cultural leaders from across Russia were laureats of the 2026 prize in the main categories representing cultural and educational institutions, government bodies, and major projects. Among them was Arkady Zinov, Minister of Culture of the Krasnoyarsk Region who received the award in the category Regional Cultural Manager (government leadership).

“Russia is home to more than 90,000 cultural institutions forming a unique network unlike anywhere else in the world, and each one is led by a director supported by a dedicated team. This National Prize was created to recognize that immense and important work,” noted Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Olga Lyubimova.