Created from tompak, a gold-plated quadrangular chest symbol “People's Artist of the USSR” was awarded to outstanding artists. In 1936, the title was first awarded to 14 artists. Until 1991, it was considered one of the main awards for creative activity and served as an official proof of popular love.
Honorary title
Since 1919, the most talented cultural workers were awarded the title "People's Artist of the Republic." Among the first to receive it were singers L.V. Sobinov, F.I. Chaliapin and composer A.K. Glazunov. In order for the artist to become “popular,” he had to make a special contribution to the following areas: music, cinema, theater, television, circus, broadcasting. The title was approved by the Central Executive Committee. The regulation on this honorary title contained the following points:
- It is assigned to representatives of art whose activities constitute a valuable contribution to the development of culture.
- The list of recipients is approved by the Ministry of Culture of the USSR, the State Committee for Cinematography, Television and Radio Broadcasting, the Board of the Union of Cinematographers, and the Union of Composers.
- Approved people's artists of the USSR receive a badge, diploma and certificate.
- The distinctive symbol must be worn on the right side of the chest.
All this honorary title in the period from 1936 to 1991 was awarded 1010 people.
Award Features
The appropriation system raised a lot of questions. For example, why didn’t Leonid Kuravlev, Andrey Mironov, composer Sergei Prokofiev receive the title? Many national artists of the USSR were awarded the title only at an advanced age. For example, Ivan Ivanov-Vano, Stanislav Lyudkevich. Some well-known figures could not live up to the day the title was attained (Rina Zelenaya, Mark Bernes). The youngest women to receive the title “People's Artist of the USSR” were the singers Halima Nasyrova and Kulyash Baiseitova. They were 24 years old. Muslim Magomayev became the youngest title holder among men. He was 31 years old at the time of delivery.
List of People's Artists of the USSR of the 30s
Fourteen people received the prize during this period. Among them were directors P.K. Saksagansky and A.A. Vasadze, actors E.P. Korchagina-Alexandrovskaya and A.A. Khorava, singers M.I. Litvinenko-Volgemut and K. Zh. Baiseitova. The first People’s Artist of the USSR - director K. S. Stanislavsky. Together with him V. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko, actor I. M. Moskvin, singer A. V. Nezhdanova were awarded.
In 1936 he became a national artist V.I. Kachalov. He was one of the leading actors in the Moscow Art Theater, played 55 roles. In honor of Vasily Ivanovich, the Kazan Drama Theater was named. The actor was awarded the Stalin Prize of the first degree, he had orders and medals.
In 1937, the title of honor was awarded to actress Alla Konstantinovna Tarasova. She was awarded five Stalin Prizes, three Orders of Lenin, and medals for her work. Alla Konstantinovna until the end of her days was active, played in performances, taught acting. Since 1951, she was the director of the Moscow Art Theater, later joined the Council of Elders of the theater. In the period from 1952 to 1960, she was a deputy of the USSR Armed Forces of 3-5 convocations.
Konstantin Sergeevich Stanislavsky
The director was born in 1863 in Moscow. Konstantin Sergeyevich was a talented actor and teacher. He created the famous system, which is used to this day. In 1898, K. S. Stanislavsky, together with V. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko, founded the Moscow Art Theater. For his life, the actor received the title of "People's Artist of the USSR", honorary orders. Konstantin Sergeyevich Stanislavsky was an academician of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences and later the USSR Academy of Sciences.
The period from 1940 to 1949
Such famous personalities as conductor A. M. Pazovsky, actress E. D. Turchaninova, singer Z. M. Gaidai, director M. I. Tsarev and many others became folk artists at that time. The last of them in 1942 became the honored artist of the RSFSR, in 1949 - the national. Since 1973, M.I. Tsarev has been a Hero of Socialist Labor. He was also awarded the Stalin Prize of the second degree, the State Prize of the USSR (in 1969), and in 1977 the Prize of the RSFSR named after K. S. Stanislavsky. The great director and talented actor had many honorary orders.
In 1945, only one artist received the title of People - Abrar Khidoyatov. The actor managed to show different images of Russian, Uzbek and European people. It was a dramatic artist who perfectly mastered the art of monologue. The State Drama Theater in Tashkent is named after a talented actor.
Folk artists of the 50s of the XX century
During this period, 138 people received the title of People's Artist of the USSR. Among them is Lyubov Petrovna Orlova, who was awarded him in 1950. A talented actress starred in the movie, played in the theater, sang beautifully. She was twice awarded the Stalin Prize of the first degree, for her courage and dedication she was awarded a number of medals. L.P. Orlova is the winner of the prize for best actress at the VIII International Film Festival in Venice for playing in the film "Spring", as well as the Peace Prize for the film "Meeting on the Elbe." The actress was awarded the Certificate of Merit of the Soviet Peace Committee.
In 1959, the title of the national was given to the leading actress of the Alma-Ata Russian Drama Theater named after M. Yu. Lermontov - Valentina Borisovna Kharlamova. She brought to life 130 images. During the hostilities, she and the troupe performed in hospitals and combat units. Valentina Borisovna was awarded orders, medals, diplomas.
Laureates of the 60s
During this period, 185 people were presented for the award. Director and teacher N.P. Akimov became a folk artist in 1960. Together with him were awarded the actors V. A. Orlov, A. O. Stepanova, N. A. Annenkov. The following year, the list of folk artists was replenished with the names of Faina Ranevskaya, Svyatoslav Richter, Tatyana Ustinova, Boris Pokrovsky and others. In 1969, 25 artists received the title. Among them were choreographer Rostislav Zakharov, actress Viya Artmane, ballerina Nina Timofeeva, clowns Mikhail Rumyantsev and Oleg Popov and many other talented artists.
The jokes of the wonderful actress Faina Georgievna Ranevskaya are still relevant. A large number of roles she played in the Mossovet Theater. The actress was a
honored artist of the USSR, she was awarded honorary orders more than once, she was awarded the Stalin Prize several times. The English Encyclopedia “Who is Who” included F.G. Ranevskaya in the top ten outstanding actresses of the XX century.
A widely known actor of the 60s was Arkady Isaakovich Raikin. The artist was distinguished by unique humor and the ability to instantly transform into any image. In the early 40s, Arkady Isaakovich became the artistic director of the Leningrad Variety and Miniature Theater. In the postwar period, the actor starred in several films and created various theater programs. In 1982, the troupe of the Leningrad Theater, together with its leader, moved to Moscow and was soon renamed Satyricon. Arkady Isaakovich received many awards for his work. So, in 1939 he became the winner of the First All-Union Competition of Variety Artists.
Laureates from 1970 to 1979
At that time, 239 gifted personalities were awarded titles. Among them are composer A. G. Novikov, choreographer Yu. J. Lingis, actor K. K. Ird. In 1979, the title was awarded to 25 art workers. Conductors Y. A. Voshchak, L. N. Venediktov, circus artist V. A. Volzhansky, actors P. P. Kadochnikov, Yu. V. Nikulin, S. N. Plotnikov and others received it.
In 1973, the singer Moslim Magometovich Magomaev received the honorary title. His first performance took place in Baku, and in 1962 he became a laureate of the World Festival of Youth and Students, which was held in Helsinki. A year later, his first recital took place in the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall. At 31, Muslim Magomayev received the title of "People's Artist of the USSR." A talented, bright, with extraordinary charisma singer conquered the entire Union. Until now, his fans are gathering in the evenings in memory of Muslim Magomayev.
A talented actor, People's Artist of the USSR Oleg Nikolaevich Efremov was awarded the title in 1976. He was one of the founders of the Union of Theater Workers of the USSR, as well as the Sovremennik Theater, in which he was the artistic director. In addition to his acting career, O. N. Efremov was a talented director of many performances. He was awarded State Prizes of the USSR, later - State Prizes of the Russian Federation. Oleg Nikolaevich received the Golden Mask prize, he is a laureate of the Person of the Year Prize of the Russian Biographical Institute.
The eighties of the XX century
During this period 324 representatives of creative professions were awarded. These were actors, directors, circus artists, composers, singers, ballerinas, conductors. Among them is the widely known Armen Borisovich Dzhigarkhanyan, who for 250 images played in the movie got into the Guinness Book of Records. In 1989, Natalya Yuryevna Durova received the honorary title. From an early age, the artist worked in the circus, did not stop her activity even in wartime. She wrote a number of books for adults and children. Her contribution was highly appreciated even abroad. So, the GDR awarded N. Yu. Durova the title of master of the training of sea animals.
Final rewarding period
In 1990, 29 people became "popular", and a year later - 32 talented cultural and art workers. L. V. Durov, V. T. Spivakov,
M. M. Zapashny, Z. E. Gerdt, G. M. Vitsin and many other artists were awarded this title. The last People’s Artist of the USSR is actor O. I. Yankovsky (in December 1991). He played in a large number of films, brought to life many images in the Lenkom Theater and in the drama theater of the city of Saratov. The last People’s Artist of the USSR acted as a director in the film “Come Look at Me,” which he created with M. L. Agranovich. The actor has repeatedly received a prize for Best Actor at various film festivals.
Together with Oleg Yankovsky in 1991, the title “People's Artist of the USSR” was also awarded to actress S. S. Pilyavskaya. She served in several theaters (Moscow Art Theater named after M. Gorky and Moscow Art Theater named after A.P. Chekhov), and also acted in films. S. S. Pilyavskaya in the RSFSR became a honored artist, she was awarded the Stalin Prize of the second degree, orders.
People's artists of the USSR, now living
To our joy, many talented artists are still alive. For example, four national artists live in Azerbaijan: pianist Farhad Shamsi-oglu Badalbeyli, singer Fidan Ekrem-kizi Kasimova, composer Arif Dzhangir-oglu Melikov, singer Zeynab Yahya-kizi Khanlarova. In Armenia - actress V.K. Varderesyan, composer K.A. Orbelian, conductor O.A. Chekidzhyan. People's artists of the USSR live in Belarus. This is the choreographer V.N. Elizariev, composer I.M. Luchenok and others. Nine famous people live in Georgia: M. P. Amiranashvili, N. G. Bregvadze, L. A. Isakadze, G. A. Kancheli, R. R. Sturua and others.
How many national artists of the USSR live in Russia now? These are talented Soviet actors V. S. Lanovoi, E. A. Bystritskaya, L. K. Durov, O. P. Tabakov, I. M. Churikova, circus performers M. M. Zapashny, O. K. Popov, conductor V T. Spivakov, singer A. B. Pugacheva and others. The current people's artists of the USSR in Ukraine are conductor A. T. Avdievsky, singer D. M. Gnatyuk, singer S. M. Rotaru, actress A. N. Rogovtseva, ballerina T. A. Tayakina and others. Favorite artists also live in Latvia, Lithuania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and other countries of the former USSR.
Finally
People's artists of the USSR, now living or already gone, for a long time remain in the hearts of fans. Being “popular” is always an honor; almost all artists aspired to this title. This title gave its owner many benefits. For example, a significant increase in salary and pension, the ability to expand your living space and get a state cottage, big discounts on utility bills and, of course, improved conditions during concerts. It was also believed that the title confirms the people's love for the artist. But there were actors and singers who did not receive any awards and were recognized and appreciated by ordinary people no less titled. For example, Vladimir Vysotsky, Andrei Mironov, Oleg Dal. People's artists of the USSR cinema, music, theater and other creative fields have always been held in high esteem, they were invited to festivals, meetings, concerts. Talented people had many admirers throughout the USSR and beyond.