Russian show business is in vogue for high-profile state titles. People's and Honored Artists of Russia and the USSR Who is cooler - People's Artist or Honored

Not all actors, singers and musicians receive the title of Honored Artist. To become one, you need to go through a long thorny path where troubles, obstacles will come across, there will be people who are not averse to putting talented person spokes in the wheels, even if he is their friend and colleague. But there is no need to give up, you need to work long and hard. And then the reward and recognition will find you.

Who is entitled to the title?

The honorary status is assigned to persons working in the field of cinema, variety art, theater, ballet, workers in the music and circus fields, as well as radio and television workers, and so on. A person applying for the title of "Honored Artist" must work 20 years or more and achieve public recognition.

How is it possible to receive a state award?

In 2010, a special decree issued by the President of the Russian Federation was issued stating that this high title is awarded to an employee only when he has worked in the field of art for more than 20 years. But that's not all. The candidate for the title must have any awards or promotions (diplomas, certificates, grants) issued by federal or state authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. This means that the future honored artist of the theater, cinema, etc. will receive the title due to him only upon reaching the age of 38, provided that the person has started working in various creative teams from 18 years old.

Of course, just 20 years of work in the cinema or theater to get the status of an honored artist is not enough. It is necessary to make a great contribution to art or its development, for example, to make a film that will become popular, to play successfully in many performances, to achieve fame and recognition of one's name. If the future honored artist meets all of the above requirements, you can safely apply for the title. But before you write an appeal, you need to draw up a petition for an award. This is usually done by the director or head of the institution where the talented employee works, or his team. In other words, in place permanent job person. If, for some reason, the future honored artist does not work anywhere, then the petition is drawn up where he spent vigorous activity in the field of arts.

What is the difference between an honored artist and a folk artist? What title is preferred?

It is more difficult to become a people's artist than a well-deserved one. This does not mean that getting the status of the second is easier than a lung. You have to work hard. To receive the title of "Honored Artist of Russia", you need to work for the benefit of art for at least 20 years. For those who have chosen ballet as their specialty, this period is reduced to 10 years. But to become a people's artist, you need to work another 10 years after receiving the title of honored. For those who do ballet dances, the time is again reduced to 5 years.

Summing up, we can say that the question of which title is better - deserved or National artist, you can confidently answer that it is better to be second. However, they cannot become until the status of the first is obtained.

Special privileges in the USSR

Of course, this is not the only difference in titles. A people's artist is now entitled to more privileges and awards than a well-deserved one. If the second in the days of the USSR, when traveling on tour, was given a place in a compartment and a shabby hotel room, then the first was given more honors. The car stood out no lower than the sleeping one, and the place where the actor was located was chic. In addition, folk artists received and receive a good salary increase, vouchers to a sanatorium, and earlier, when going to a performance and leaving it, an art worker was given a car that drove and brought him back and forth. Now this privilege, unfortunately, has been canceled.

Honored Artists of Russia

Singer Leonid Agutin got into the honorary lists of recognized artists. He is the son of a musician and teacher, followed in the footsteps of his father and at the age of six he studied at music school. Then he graduated from the Moscow jazz school, served in the army, and then seriously took up the career of a singer and musician. His award found an addressee in 2008.

The singer Tatyana Bulanova also has this status. Although her relatives are not at all connected with music, like Leonid Agutin (Tatyana's father graduated from the Naval Academy, and her mother was a photographer), the girl showed a love for music from childhood. And although the singer still decided to show off her talent on stage. The beginning of her career, or debut, took place in 1990, and after 14 years she received the title of "Honored Artist".

Mark of distinction

The awarded person will receive not only a certificate, but also a special badge. It is made of silver and has a very beautiful and unusual shape. The award looks like an oval wreath, which is obtained with the help of two crossed tree branches - oak and laurel. At the bottom of the award there is a beautiful bow, and at the top - the state emblem. In the center, right on the wreath, there is an inscription that reads: "Honored Artist". There is a pin on the back of the badge so that it can be attached to a jacket. Traditionally, this is done on the right side of the chest.

Summing up

This award, which was carefully considered in the article, is difficult to obtain, but possible. It should only be remembered that not a single achievement will be obtained if one does not make titanic efforts and does not devote oneself to achieving the cherished goal. It's not for nothing that they say that dreams do come true. Just enough strong desire. And then the title will not be just a name.

"National 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 theatrical, musical, circus, variety and cinema arts.

AiF.ru tells how to get the title of People's Artist of the Russian Federation.

How to get 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 the professional community. The title can be given to:

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

According to the decree of the President of the Russian Federation of 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 honorary title"Honored Artist of the Russian Federation" or "Honored Artist of the Russian Federation" (for ballet dancers performing the first roles - not 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?

Chest sign has a uniform for honorary titles of the Russian Federation form 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 an inscription - 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.

Badges of the honorary title "People's Artist of the Russian Federation", issued after September 7, 2010, are gilded.

Well-known figures of theatre, cinema, variety art 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:

• creating 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 domestic art, artistic culture, education of new generations of creative people;
• the presence of merits recognized by the public, as well as 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 appropriate normative act timed to coincide with the Day of the cultural worker - that is, on 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 its receipt by artists.

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

Rank honored artist, as well as the status of a people's artist, is assigned to representatives of the same areas of art and professional roles. Similarly, it is included in the system of Russian state awards.

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

1. the presence of a representative of the art sphere of personal merits in the creation of cinema, theatrical productions, 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 field of art in the preservation, as well as the development of artistic schools (primarily national ones), in the development classic images Russian culture;
3. active participation of a representative of the sphere of art in socially significant cultural events - concerts and various performances, which are aimed at educating young people, popularizing national culture Russian Federation abroad, are associated with charitable activities;
4. active participation of a representative of the sphere of art in concert activities, organization of theatrical performances, 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 the total work experience of a person in the field of art is at least 20 years from the date of commencement of activities in the field of culture and creativity. But ballet dancers have the right to claim the corresponding award 10 years after the start of creative work. The title of Honored Artist is awarded to a person, provided that he has industry awards from government departments.

As in the case of the title of people's artist, the status of an honored worker of culture is acquired by a person after the President of the Russian Federation issues a corresponding decree - on the basis of documents from the State Awards Commission.

Comparison

The main difference between a people's artist and an honored artist is that the former receives his title if he has a significantly longer experience in the field of art, and also, as a rule, on the condition that he already has the title of honored artist. Which can be acquired by a theater, cinema or pop artist in 10 or 20 years (in the first case, the title in question can be received by ballet dancers, in the second - by figures in other areas of art if both have departmental awards).

The title of an honored artist, therefore, precedes the status of a people's artist - a person can receive a second status 10 years after the award of the first award.

Both state awards combine 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 the difference between a folk and honored artist, we will record the conclusions in a small table.

Table

National artist	Honored Artist
What do they have in common?
Similar award criteria
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 a person’s 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	It assumes a shorter period 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

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

In March of this year, the Ministry of Culture of Russia nevertheless 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 titles - on 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 never asked anyone for anything and never will ask, - musician Sergey Trofimov (Trofim) tells the Interlocutor. - We have placed a petition on the Internet in support of Nikolai Noskov and have collected more than five thousand signatures. At the same time, they turned to the Union of Variety Artists to nominate Nikolai for the title. Once they nominated me for a well-deserved artist. True, this performance lay somewhere in the "cultural" offices for more than three years. I am glad that on the second attempt, but the title was nevertheless awarded to Noskov. Who, if not him, should be deserved?!

// Photo: Global Look Press

IN Lately 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 is being awarded today and who is given titles? How are they chosen? Unclear! Film actor Igor Petrenko, who starred in more than 50 films, has not been able to receive a well-deserved award for several years, although he is a laureate State Prize Russia. Recently, they denied 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 refusals. Somehow they returned the documents of one artist who has 96 film roles behind him. It turns out that he did not pay the traffic police fine of 230 rubles! And how many documents do you need to collect! For example, they were required to have a tax certificate. Well, what does this have to do with the talent of the artist ?!

Who paid for Baskov?

To receive the title or award of an artist, any organization must submit: theater, film studio, trade union and so on. A special expert council under the Ministry of Culture considers the candidacy. 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 (on a voluntary basis, that is, free of charge) once a year to decide the fate of artists. Each candidate is discussed separately, the submitted documents (articles, video materials - recordings of programs, excerpts from films, performances, concerts) are studied. Then they vote. It happens that in one meeting you have to consider up to a hundred people. Of this number, the council may recommend ten people to approve. Every year is different. And the final decision is made by officials of the Ministry of Culture. Moreover, the selection criteria are not always clear.

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

With us, this is categorically excluded, - 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, to pay someone in an organization that represents a person. But I think that it is not easy to do it there either. Our board tries to consider each candidate objectively.

Previously, all this took a lot of time, not like now, - says the CT announcer, People's Artist Russian Anna Shatilova. - First they gave the lowest rank - deserved. Then many years had to pass before you could be introduced to the people. So many documents had to be collected, different commissions were sitting! My candidacy was considered for six years. I had two creative characteristics: from People's Artist of the USSR, radio announcer Yuri Levitan and from People's Artist of the USSR, choreographer Igor Moiseev. I no longer hoped. But one day in 1988, they called from the Kremlin and said that they needed to be at the ceremony 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.

Blind the Everyman

Previously, people's artists of the USSR were provided with additional meters of living space, services in elite clinics and sanatoriums, on tour they relied on a deluxe hotel room and tickets to the SV, as well as a black Volga for the performance and after the performance. In addition, they paid a double pension.

Now there are no special benefits for artists with titles. The exception is those living in Moscow, they are paid 30,000 rubles a month, continues Valery Gushchin's story. - But this innovation was introduced this year and it is not known whether the surcharge will continue next year. As soon as they began to pay this amount to the deserved and popular ones, artists reached out to our guild with a request, even a demand, to nominate them to the title. They say: “This money would help me so much now!” We try to help somehow, but, I repeat, it does not always work out. But look at our pop young pop divas. Through one - honored and national. Who rewards them and on what basis?!

Indeed, for example, Natasha Koroleva became well-deserved at the age of 29, while at the same time 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 well-deserved for her 50th birthday. And although today the titles of artists, by and large, do not bring anything (it is unlikely that the same Koroleva, with her concert fees, is in dire need of an additional 30 thousand), it is still prestigious. After all, it's so nice to write in big letters on a poster or announce from the stage: "The honored (people's) artist is performing ..." To dazzle the layman.

Background

In 1896, five people from the troupe Alexandrinsky Theater. Also, one of the first to receive this title was the ballerina Matilda Kshesinskaya. In 1918, the title was officially annulled. And a year later, another appeared - "People's Artist of the Republic." The first to be awarded was Fyodor Chaliapin (pictured). In 1931, this title was changed to "People's Artist of the RSFSR". Then 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 "People's Artist of the USSR". 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. In the entire 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 given to Central Television announcer Igor Kirillov in 1988.

// Photo: Andrey Strunin / "Interlocutor"

Lord, who needs this title now?! - Igor Leonidovich exclaimed in a conversation with the "Interlocutor". - It's all over! 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 is, of course, honorary. But on odd days - it's just like that. Is today an odd day? So, today I am a simple normal pensioner. Departing nature. Unfortunately.

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

Well, up to me the rank People's USSR radio announcers Yuri Levitan and Olga Vysotskaya, and CT announcer Valentina Leontieva have already received. I am not the first in this case. You know, this fact has not changed anything special in my life. Who I was, and who I am. I take the title calmly, but with gratitude. And there were no benefits, which are so much talked about. Anyway, I didn't use them. The car was his own, drove more than 60 years. And in domestic plan I didn't need much, just work.

- Now your title does not give materially anything?

Well, they began to add 30 thousand rubles to the pension. This is an initiative of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. So 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's Hall of the Kremlin Palace.

// Photo: Global Look Press

I got a call from the presidential administration and invited me to come to the Kremlin on such and such a date to receive an award, ”playwright Viktor Merezhko, who four years ago became a people’s artist of the Russian Federation, tells the Sobesednik. - There was a recommendation to wear a black suit and tie, which, by the way, I don’t wear in my life. I remember asking my neighbor Arkady Inin to tie him up for me, because I don’t know how. They didn't offer me 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 papers with names on each chair. We waited for the President for about half an hour. A lot of people talked for as much as five minutes, thanked the motherland and the president. It was exhausting for everyone. So I just walked out, received the award, said thank you, and sat down. I did not go to the podium, although no one forbade me. After the ceremony, glasses of champagne were brought in. A crush formed around the president, everyone wanted to be closer to him. I did not push people with my elbows, somehow indecent. I drank champagne and went to the subway.

Folk without quotes

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: is it possible to imagine that the Ministry of Culture of the USSR could seriously discuss the award to the rebel Vysotsky?! Although he still became well-deserved, posthumously. And today many famous artists don't have any title. Alexander Baluev, Lyubov Tolkalina, Ivan Okhlobystin, Anna Ardova, Victoria Tolstoganova...

Some artists themselves refuse titles. 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 ten years old. Such rules. But Leonid Yarmolnik at one time was offered to jump over the well-deserved and immediately get the national one. But he also refused.

// Photo: Global Look Press

I am deeply convinced that the artist should be known by name and in person, - Leonid expresses his opinion to the Interlocutor. - The title of the people is devalued in our country, almost everyone already has it, although they are not the Ulyanovs, not the Evstigneevs, not the Yakovlevs, not the Efremovs, and so on. Or even simpler and clearer: imagine - US People's Artist Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino...

The famous Athos, Veniamin Smekhov, who worked for many years at the Taganka Theater, was left without the title of the people.

We, the young ones, were once introduced to the ranks, ”recalls Veniamin Borisovich. - Then we were 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 whom you do not know comes with the statement: “I am the People's Artist Golopupkin”, you are unlikely to start treating him well. Ecclesiastes says: "A good name is more precious than a ringing suit." Therefore, when people high altitude hinted, and not to me, but to my wife Galina, that it would be necessary, 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 the Holy Andrew the First-Called...

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

If the regalia were handed out 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 conferring the title of Honored Artist of Russia. In creative and around creative environment and, of course, a heated discussion broke out in social networks: who is worthy, who is not very good, who was not given and why. And in the end, everyone unanimously agreed that “now” the title 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 website.

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 whom you never know what to expect.

It is not known how pleased the first 13 laureates of the title were. So, Konstantin Stanislavsky, one of the leaders of the Moscow Art Theater, in 1936, already seriously ill, put all his strength into ensuring that Artistic theater did not become completely courtier. A, a former tsarist officer, later a student Evgenia Vakhtangov, 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

It was very difficult to get the highest title in the creative environment until 1991. 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 put in the effort, give 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 ladder. Nationality could interfere or help, party membership 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 not decisive conditions either, it is enough to name Vladimir Vysotsky who died at 42 without any titles. A brilliant actor who did not sing any "opposition" songs Oleg Dal died at the age of 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 well-deserved one, it was necessary 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 can be applied 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 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. long 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 assign 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 curious case, which eventually turned into an anecdote. They say that when Brezhnev hinted that it was time to give the title of Honored Artist to the sonorous representative of the peoples Far North Cola Beldy thinking about something Leonid Ilyich declared: “The well-deserved still needs to be earned, let it be like the people for now!”

Representatives of court culture immediately fulfilled the instructions of the Secretary General, and Cola Beldy became a people's artist, bypassing the stage of the honored one.

Years of recognition

Most often, artists have been going to the title of folk for decades, 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 Green died on April 1, 1991, right on the day the corresponding decree was signed.

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

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

Stanislav Lyudkevich in the 50s.