The II International Sergei Mikhalkov Children’s Literature Award Ceremony was held on May 13 in Moscow. The competition was organized by the Russian Cultural Foundation and Russian Children’s Book Council with support from the Russian Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rospechats and Russian Authors Society.
For the second time the Russkiy Mir Foundation participated as a partner of the competition, which helps promote the literature of Russian-language authors in countries throughout the world. The competition entries were evaluated by a professional jury, which included a number of well-known authors, critics, publishers, public figures and librarians. Deputy Executive Director of the Russkiy Mir Foundation Tatiana Bokova was one of the jury members. A children’s jury overseen by Mikhail Barannikov, editor of Pionerskaya Pravda, also helped in selecting the winners.
The awards ceremony included a concert with performances based on the works of Sergei Mikhalkov performed by jazzman Igor Butman and actor Viktor Sukhorukov. The perfomance by Zurab Sotkilava received a standing ovation.
Director and Russkiy Mir Board of Trustee’s member Nikita Mikhalkov told the audience that the literary competition has become an important pillar of support for modern children’s literature. Tatiana Bokova, speaking on behalf of the Foundation, said: “For the Russkiy Mir Foundation, the Sergei Mikhalkov Competition is an important project for supporting and assisting the development of the Russian language, particularly in countries abroad. Russian language authors are creating a летопись of modernity. The Russian word inspires them to create works of art, which we hope will enrich and the Russian language.
