Putin expressed condolences over Svetlana Svetlichnaya's death

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed condolences over the death of Svetlana Svetlichnaya, Honored Artist of the RSFSR. His telegram at the farewell ceremony for the actress was read by Valeria Gushchina, director of the Guild of Cinema Actors.

"The bright memory of Svetlana Afanasyevna Svetlichnaya will forever remain in the hearts of close friends, colleagues, admirers and personally in my heart," the Russian leader said in a statement.

The Russian President noted that she was a bright, talented and versatile actress, whose characters won audience recognition and enriched the national cinematography.

The ceremony of farewell to the artist is held in the House of Cinema in Moscow. Flowers to her coffin carried colleagues and fans. After the funeral procession Svetlichnaya will be buried at Troekurovskoye cemetery.

Svetlichnaya died on November 16 at the age of 84 years after a long illness. Film historian, critic and editor Vyacheslav Shmyrov told Izvestia that the actress's health had been poor recently.

People's Artist of Russia, director Andrei Zhitinkin expressed condolences to relatives and pointed out that Svetlichnaya remained a legend of the national cinematography, but was a very modest person during her lifetime.

Actress Olga Spirkina noted that even in old age the actress did not lose her charm and femininity, and People's Artist of Russia Valery Barinov called her main quality of mystery.

Svetlichnaya was born May 15, 1940 in Armenia. After graduating from the Institute in 1963, she became an actress of the Theater-Studio of Film Actors. Her bright role was the seductress Anna Sergeyevna in Leonid Gaidai's film "Diamond Hand". Also the woman starred in the movie "Seventeen Moments of Spring" and "The Place of Meeting Change You Can Not". In 1974, she was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR.