Question scene: Putin supported the expansion of the Pushkin Map program

Russian theaters have faced difficulties staging the works of great authors, whose descendants who left the country do not transfer their copyrights. Among them, for example, the works of Mikhail Bulgakov and the play by Alexander Volodin "Do not part with your loved ones." This became known on March 25 at a meeting of the Council for Culture with the participation of Vladimir Putin. The President called for a civilized response to this situation. He also instructed to solve the problem of the delay in the creation of a quota system for foreign films in Russia. Other topics include preferential land leases for film concerns and the creation of a new literary award. Where Nikita Mikhalkov invited Vladimir Putin and who was awarded by the president in the Kremlin — in the Izvestia article.

What did cultural figures ask the president about?

Cultural Worker's Day is celebrated in Russia on March 25. The president's work schedule on this day usually includes meetings with industry representatives, and, in particular, discussions with the Cultural Council.

At the meeting, everyone wanted to either present their ideas to Vladimir Putin or complain about the obstacles faced by representatives of the cultural sector. For example, the director of the Mosfilm film studio, People's Artist of the Russian Federation Karen Shakhnazarov worries about the procedure for calculating rent for land — in 2026 it changed and for the concern it amounts to 159 million rubles instead of 80 million. Vladimir Putin instructed to work with the Ministry of Finance on the issue of preferential payment.

The Union of Artists of Russia was also concerned about the prices. Its head, sculptor Andrey Kovalchuk, complained that many people cannot rent premises for their creative workshops at market prices, especially in the regions.

The general director of the Bolshoi Moscow Circus, Edgar Zapashny, once again shared his thoughts on the injustice of the lack of circuses in the Pushkin Map program and asked to return to this topic. He noted that there is an opinion that the circus should not be included in the program, because allegedly it is not considered a full-fledged art and is not aimed at working with young people.

— But those who have been to the circus for the last time never think so.… "The Tale of the Goldfish, directed by my brother Askold Zapashny, is successfully playing in the arena of the Bolshoi Moscow Circus, and it has already been visited by almost half a million viewers," he said.

Vladimir Putin promised to consider the possibility of extending the validity of the card.

Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova explained that initially circus programs did not meet the criteria, but she supported the idea of including educational circus performances in the program based on classical works or historical events.

Why has it become difficult to stage Bulgakov's works in Russia

Vladimir Mashkov, artistic director of the Oleg Tabakov Theater, said that some heirs of Russian authors who have left the country do not give theaters permission to stage performances based on the literary works of their ancestors. This led to problems in the production of Alexander Volodin's play "Do not part with your loved ones", similar situations arise with the works of Mikhail Bulgakov.

— An important problem, I agree. As you put it, the so-called heirs, they have certain rights and sometimes they abuse these rights. I agree with you, we need to take a close look at the regulatory framework and respond accordingly in a civilized manner, of course," the president said.

The writer Zakhar Prilepin also spoke about the problems associated with events in the international arena. He called the Nobel Prize "postcolonial" because it has recently been used as a political tool. In this regard, he proposed to create a new international literary award — the "world Majority Award" — together with China, India, Latin America and Africa. Vladimir Putin supported the idea and promised to give instructions to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

What question worried Vladimir Putin

At some point, Nikita Mikhalkov took the floor. For about 10 minutes, he complained to the head of state about the deadlines for reviewing applications for state support of films. He recalled that more than a year ago, following a similar meeting, Vladimir Putin instructed to support the idea of quotas for foreign films at the Russian box office and take measures to protect the market in advance, even before competitors begin to return.

— But today, Vladimir Vladimirovich, is the 390th day. The protocol has not been signed. It's a pleasure for the audience, it's a burden for the officials, but for us it's life, it's our life," Mikhalkov emphasized.

Vladimir Putin listened attentively to the filmmaker and did not hide his dissatisfaction with the fact that the process was delayed. Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova said it was a "technically complex procedure." Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova immediately admitted that she was not immersed in the subtleties of this issue, and Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky explained that a meeting had already been held in January and a draft protocol with compromises on all points had been prepared.

— As far as I know, this draft protocol has already been approved. In accordance with this protocol, all the issues that Nikita Sergeyevich raises on quotas will be transferred to the Ministry of Culture and appropriate instructions will be given for the development of draft laws. The problem was complicated, but a compromise was found," Medinsky said.

"I'm asking you to implement the compromise document that Vladimir Rostislavovich [Medinsky] mentioned as soon as possible," Putin stressed.

Nikita Mikhalkov, clearly satisfied with the indifference of the head of state, invited him to attend one of the most anticipated performances in Moscow — "Without Witnesses."

— Thanks to you, Vladimir Vladimirovich, Misha Efremov has found a new life. I invite you to watch our performance with him and my daughter Anna," he said.

Who received state awards

Traditionally, on this day, in the Catherine Hall of the Kremlin's Senate Palace, Vladimir Putin presented state awards to young cultural figures — writers, musicians, artists, actors, architects, as well as employees of theaters, museums and libraries.

— Your work and the results of your work are certainly a source of inspiration for the whole country — your work and the work of your colleagues. Because art strengthens and develops a country, creates conditions for ensuring its security and economic development. Culture is at the heart of our national code, and it is the foundation for Russia's future," the president said.

This year, Murat Abulkatinov, the chief director of the Krasnoyarsk Youth Theater, received the award from the President for his contribution to the development of Russian theatrical art. By the age of 34, he had already staged more than 20 performances.

Another winner was Oleg Tabakov Theater actor Vladislav Miller, who played the main role in the film "Not on the list." This is a story about the first days of the war and the defense of the Brest fortress. The prize was awarded for its contribution to the preservation and development of the traditions of Russian theater and cinema. The actor told Izvestia that in preparation for the role in the film, he went through serious training: together with a colonel of the Russian army, he went to the forest in the Kaluga region for ten days to disconnect from the world.

— We lived in a tent, went out as sentries at night, drank water from a stream, boiled it. We learned to survive, we learned how to shoot, we ate breadcrumbs. In general, we tried to approach what Vasiliev wrote about, and do it convincingly in the frame. Whether we succeeded or not, it's up to the viewer to decide," added Vladislav Miller. — It is a great honor for me. It's very exciting. Cold sweat, blood pressure 400, but at the same time, for us, for our family, this is a grand event. We are immensely grateful and touched, and now we have to justify such a high award.

In addition, three opera performers became laureates — Igor Morozov, the singer of the Helikon Opera, Alina Chertash and Polina Shabunina, performers of the Bolshoi Theater.

All of them were awarded for their performance of the main roles in Sergei Prokofiev's opera Semyon Kotko, staged at the Bolshoi Theatre in 2025. It is dedicated to the events of the Civil War of 1918.

Vladimir Putin also presented the President's awards for works and projects for children and youth in 2025. Anatoly Kislyakov, artistic director of the V.S. Popov Bolshoi Children's Choir, became one of the winners. The prize was awarded for his contribution to the development of the Russian choral tradition: the project gained the status of one of the leading children's choirs in the country and expanded the geography of tours.

Two more winners of the award are Children's Radio, which has been broadcasting for 18 years, and the Museum of the History of Military Uniforms. The leaders of both projects decided to take the opportunity to expand their audience. Elena Sinitsina, the museum's executive director, invited the president to walk to the museum's central building on Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street, two minutes from the Kremlin. And the producer of the radio channel, Elena Bondarenko, advised the drivers of the presidential motorcade to turn on their radio to the president during trips.