People's Artist of the Russian Federation Gafarov died in Ufa at the age of 78.

People's Artist of Russia, the Republics of Bashkortostan and Tatarstan, actor and pop performer Fidan Gafarov died at the age of 77, the Bashkir State Academic Theater named after Mazhit Gafuri announced on April 27.

"Fidan Safich Gafarov, an actor of the Bashkir State Academic Drama Theater named after Mazhit Gafuri, an honorary citizen of Ufa, died at the age of 78. He was a favorite of millions of viewers and will forever remain in our memory as a legend of the theater," the theater's website says.

The farewell ceremony for Gafarov will take place at the theater on Tuesday, April 29, at 10:00 a.m. He will be buried in his native village of Novourtaevo, Dyurtyuli district. The head of Bashkiria, Radiy Khabirov, noted that Gafarov's death was a loss for him personally and for the whole republic. Noting that he really liked the song "Winter Romance" performed by the actor, which was also loved by the mother of the head of the republic.

"Fidan Safic has always been in our lives. It is a huge loss for me personally and for the whole republic today. A great man is the People's Artist of Russia, Bashkortostan and Tatarstan," Khabirov wrote on his Telegram channel.

Gafarov was born in 1947 in the Dyurtyuli district of the BASSR. According to the Plenipotentiary mission of the Republic of Bashkortostan to the President of the Russian Federation, over the years of service in the theater, the actor has played many roles that have become the "hallmark" of the theatrical art of Bashkortostan.

"Despite his advanced age, Fidan Gafarov occasionally appeared on the stage of the BADT and toured extensively with his son Azamat. We express our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones," the embassy said in a statement.