On September 9, the historic stage of the Bolshoi Theater hosted the first awarding ceremony of the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize, dedicated to the birthday of the outstanding Russian writer.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the jury, high-profile public persons of the Russian Federation, international guests, ambassadors of the Prize, scientists, diplomats, parliamentarians, famous cultural professionals, as well as international students studying in our country.
The ceremony was declared open by the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy. He read out a greeting from the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, which stated, in part:
"I consider your project to be an important and demanded initiative designed to help consolidate the international community around the noble ideas of maintaining global peace and security, protection of human rights and freedoms, formation of the new just multipolar world order based on the principles of sovereign equality and respect for each other's legitimate interests, the rule of international law."
Then the floor was taken by Pierre de Gaulle, Member of the Jury, prominent public figure, grandson of the former President of France Charles de Gaulle. He highlighted the significance of the Prize and its role in uniting a peaceful public, creating a safe and just multipolar world, and humanizing relations between countries and people.
Valery Gergiev, Chairman of the Jury, Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Theatre, Director General of the Bolshoi Theatre, People's Artist of Russia, announced the winner. The Prize was awarded to the African Union. This decision was taken in view of the crucial role that this influential international organization, which brings together all the states of the African continent, plays in addressing topical issues at the global level.
"Thanks to the efforts of this authoritative international association, aimed at promoting unity and solidarity among African states, defending their national sovereignty, maintaining peace and security on the continent, the mechanisms have been put in place to respond collectively to local crisis situations. Various formats of the regional integration process have been launched, contributing to the social and economic development of Africa, numerous social, cultural, educational, and other programs and initiatives are being implemented, primarily addressed to young people”, said Valery Gergiev during the ceremony.
The laureate was represented at the ceremony by His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. He expressed his gratitude to the jury for their appreciation of the African Union's peacekeeping efforts in Africa and expressed readiness to continue to ensure peace and security on the continent.
Mr. Mahamat was awarded the International Peace Prize laureate diploma and the custom-engraved gold medal with the image of Leo Tolstoy. The medal’s unique design was developed by the employees of the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize Foundation. Its front side has a portrait image of Leo Tolstoy and his autograph, on the reverse side the name of the laureate organization and the year of awarding are applied. Both the portrait and the writer's autograph were chosen by his descendants. The diameter of the medal is 65 mm, its weight is 247.9 g. The medal is manufactured by the Moscow Mint from 585 gold with the gilding from 99.9 gold.
At the end of the ceremony, Pyotr Tchaikovsky's works were performed by soloists, chorus, and orchestra of the Bolshoi Theater: the solemn overture “1812” and the cantata “Moscow”. Maestro Gergiev himself conducted the performance.
The Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize is awarded from 2024 for outstanding achievements in activities aimed at countering the threat of unleashing a third world war and at preventing a nuclear catastrophe; significant contribution to ensuring universal and equal security based on the rule of international law, ending the arms race, building a multipolar and nonviolent world, strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between peoples; important achievements in the demilitarization, democratization and humanization of international relations on the basis of generally accepted norms of morality and law, as well as in solving global problems of our time; active peacemaking and tireless efforts in defense of human rights and freedoms.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the jury, high-profile public persons of the Russian Federation, international guests, ambassadors of the Prize, scientists, diplomats, parliamentarians, famous cultural professionals, as well as international students studying in our country.
The ceremony was declared open by the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy. He read out a greeting from the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, which stated, in part:
"I consider your project to be an important and demanded initiative designed to help consolidate the international community around the noble ideas of maintaining global peace and security, protection of human rights and freedoms, formation of the new just multipolar world order based on the principles of sovereign equality and respect for each other's legitimate interests, the rule of international law."
Then the floor was taken by Pierre de Gaulle, Member of the Jury, prominent public figure, grandson of the former President of France Charles de Gaulle. He highlighted the significance of the Prize and its role in uniting a peaceful public, creating a safe and just multipolar world, and humanizing relations between countries and people.
Valery Gergiev, Chairman of the Jury, Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Theatre, Director General of the Bolshoi Theatre, People's Artist of Russia, announced the winner. The Prize was awarded to the African Union. This decision was taken in view of the crucial role that this influential international organization, which brings together all the states of the African continent, plays in addressing topical issues at the global level.
"Thanks to the efforts of this authoritative international association, aimed at promoting unity and solidarity among African states, defending their national sovereignty, maintaining peace and security on the continent, the mechanisms have been put in place to respond collectively to local crisis situations. Various formats of the regional integration process have been launched, contributing to the social and economic development of Africa, numerous social, cultural, educational, and other programs and initiatives are being implemented, primarily addressed to young people”, said Valery Gergiev during the ceremony.
The laureate was represented at the ceremony by His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. He expressed his gratitude to the jury for their appreciation of the African Union's peacekeeping efforts in Africa and expressed readiness to continue to ensure peace and security on the continent.
Mr. Mahamat was awarded the International Peace Prize laureate diploma and the custom-engraved gold medal with the image of Leo Tolstoy. The medal’s unique design was developed by the employees of the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize Foundation. Its front side has a portrait image of Leo Tolstoy and his autograph, on the reverse side the name of the laureate organization and the year of awarding are applied. Both the portrait and the writer's autograph were chosen by his descendants. The diameter of the medal is 65 mm, its weight is 247.9 g. The medal is manufactured by the Moscow Mint from 585 gold with the gilding from 99.9 gold.
At the end of the ceremony, Pyotr Tchaikovsky's works were performed by soloists, chorus, and orchestra of the Bolshoi Theater: the solemn overture “1812” and the cantata “Moscow”. Maestro Gergiev himself conducted the performance.
The Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize is awarded from 2024 for outstanding achievements in activities aimed at countering the threat of unleashing a third world war and at preventing a nuclear catastrophe; significant contribution to ensuring universal and equal security based on the rule of international law, ending the arms race, building a multipolar and nonviolent world, strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between peoples; important achievements in the demilitarization, democratization and humanization of international relations on the basis of generally accepted norms of morality and law, as well as in solving global problems of our time; active peacemaking and tireless efforts in defense of human rights and freedoms.