In biographies of prominent personalities, one can often find a phrase that inspires respect: "honorary citizen of the city of N". What does this title mean and for what merits is assigned? Which celebrity is an honorary citizen of Moscow and St. Petersburg? The answers to these and many other questions are contained in today's article.
Who is an honorary citizen of the city?
This is the holder of a special award awarded by the highest governing body of the city. This title is given to people who have made a significant contribution to the social life of a particular locality. Awarding the title of "Honorary Citizen of the City" is an expression of gratitude and appreciation. Its holder is not endowed with any special rights or obligations.
Not only his native can become an honorary citizen of the city. Often this title is given to foreigners. Any person who has made a significant contribution to the development of the cultural, industrial or charitable sphere of the city can be awarded this title. According to the regulation "On the honorary citizen of the city", the person who has accomplished the feat can become the holder of this title. The concept of "feat" in the above document is not specified.
An honorary citizen of the city of Moscow is a title slightly different from those that are assigned by the governing bodies of other settlements. The following is the award procedure in some Russian cities.
Moscow
In the capital, an honorary title has been awarded since 1866. Gives the title to one or another outstanding personality of the Moscow City Duma. Who can become an honorary citizen of the Russian capital? First of all, a person carrying out activities aimed at the benefit of Moscow, ensuring its prosperity and well-being. Such a generalized definition does not clarify the question posed in this article. Therefore, it is worthwhile to talk about several honorary citizens of Moscow, as well as to cite the main historical facts.
In 1917, the honorary title was canceled. Before the revolution, as today, the title was appropriated by the Moscow City Duma. After that, her decision was mandatory approved by the emperor. The title of "Honorary Citizen of the City of Moscow" was renewed in the 90s.
In addition to the deputies of the City Duma, the mayor of Moscow may also nominate candidates for the title. In a secret ballot, the most worthy candidate is selected.
According to the Law "On the Honorary Citizen of Moscow", a candidate for an honorary title must meet one of the following criteria:
- Get widespread fame through charity work.
- Commit a courageous act.
- To have authority among Muscovites as a result of long cultural, social, scientific or political activities.
The title is not assigned to officials and persons with a criminal record. A person can become an honorary citizen only of his own free will. About two months before the start of discussions in the Duma, the media reported on the upcoming vote.
Do honored citizens of the city have benefits? As already mentioned, the titles do not give additional rights or obligations. But honorary citizens are usually invited to various celebrations organized by the City Duma. The title is awarded for life.
Honorary Citizens of Moscow
The name of everyone who was once endowed with an honorary title is listed in a special book. The book is kept in Gordum. How is the award process? A candidate selected by secret ballot shall be issued with a letter, certificate and badge of honorary citizen.
The presentation is accompanied by speeches by public and state figures.
What does the letter look like? It is a sheet of rectangular shape, decorated with ornaments and made in the traditions of the Russian style. On the sign of the honorary citizen of Moscow is the image of St. George the Victorious.
In 2016, the State Duma awarded the title of I.A. Hearing - the representative of the committee of war veterans. This candidacy was introduced by the mayor of the city. Hearing was awarded the honorary title for many years of active social activity and participation in the education of patriotism among representatives of the younger generation.
State Duma deputies do not choose a worthy candidate for the title of honorary citizen of Moscow every year. But the title can be assigned to several public figures at the same time.
Since the beginning of the two thousandth title received nine outstanding personalities. Among them are Viktor Sadovnichy, Joseph Kobzon, Alexander Pakhmutov. Famous honorary citizens of Moscow of the 20th century are Pavel Tretyakov, Albert Toma, Galina Ulanova. Below is a summary of some of them.
Victor Sadovnichy
Soviet and Russian mathematician, who made a huge contribution to the Russian education system, was awarded the honorary title in 2008. For more than a quarter of a century, Viktor Sadovnichy has held the position of director of one of the best universities in the capital, and throughout the country. This person has been working in the walls of Moscow State University since 1963, since 1993 he has been the rector.
Alexandra Pakhmutova
This outstanding personality was awarded the honorary title in 2000 for his invaluable contribution to pedagogical and social activities. Alexandra Pakhmutova is a composer, author of several hundred songs that were loved not only by Muscovites, but also by residents of the entire post-Soviet space.
Galina Ulanova
The ballet dancer has dedicated her life to the Bolshoi Theater - one of the most important cultural symbols of Moscow - for more than fifty years. In 1944, Galina Ulanova was transferred to the capital. Then she became the leading ballerina of the Bolshoi Theater. After completing an artistic career, she also worked as a teacher here.
St. Petersburg
In the Northern capital, the title of honorary citizen is awarded at the end of May, on the day of festive events held in honor of the city. Candidates are nominated, as in other localities in Russia, by representatives of the city government, as well as public organizations and associations.
The honorary citizen of St. Petersburg is elected by the deputies of the Legislative Assembly. True, they do not always manage to come to a common opinion. Sometimes deputies cannot agree, and the city remains without a new honorary citizen. What attributes does the holder of an honorary title endow?
Persons whose merits to St. Petersburg are noted in the Legislative Assembly have the sign of an honorary citizen. This product is made of plastic, is a wreath, which is formed from the branches of the laurel.
Honorary citizens in the city on the Neva enjoy the right of free travel in public transport. Accommodation in the city during various celebrations is paid from the city budget. Of course, if the holder of the title is not a resident of the Northern capital. In 2017, Valentina Matvienko received the title. Other honorary citizens of St. Petersburg:
- Scientist Vladimir Vasiliev.
- Theoretical physicist Ludwig Faddeev.
- Writer Daniil Granin.
- Conductor Valery Georgiev.
- Trainer Tamara Moskvina.
- Opera singer Irina Bogacheva.
- Trainer Vladimir Kondrashin.
- Actor Evgeny Lebedev.
- Poet Joseph Brodsky.
Often an honorary title is given to two or more outstanding personalities who have made a significant contribution to the development of culture or science. So, in 2001, physicist Zhores Alferov and actress Alisa Freindlikh became honorary citizens of St. Petersburg.
Honorary Citizens of Yekaterinburg
In this city, the honorary title began to be awarded a little later than in Moscow, in 1877. The first honorary citizen of Yekaterinburg is General Evgeny Bogdanovich. In addition to military affairs, this man was engaged in transport construction, journalism. A person who works for the good of society can become an honorary citizen of several cities. That was Evgeny Bogdanovich. His merits were noted in Tyumen, Kamyshlov, Sarapul.
After the revolution in Yekaterinburg, as in most Russian cities, the assignment of honorary titles ceased. In 1991, traditions revived. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the first honorary citizen of Yekaterinburg was volleyball coach Nikolai Karpol.
Volgograd
Grand fights took place on the Volga in the forties of the last century. And here a lot of courageous feats were committed. Perhaps that is why, even in Soviet times, the assignment of the title of honorary citizen of Volgograd was resumed. The Council of Workers was engaged in the selection of candidates. Among the honorary citizens of Volgograd, Marshal Vasily Chuykov, Colonel General Mikhail Shumilov, Marshal Eremenko.
In 2001, the title of the title made some changes. From now on, candidates for the title "Honorary Citizen of the Hero City of Volgograd" are considered annually in the City Duma.
The title mentioned above should not be confused with the name of the eponymous estate established by Nicholas I. Honorary citizens in the Russian Empire occupied an intermediate position between nobles and merchants. Belonging to this estate was a personal or hereditary status.
The honorary title, which was discussed in this article, is often awarded by city authorities to actors, directors - in a word, representatives of the sphere of art and culture. So, after the release of the series “Liquidation”, the leading actor Vladimir Mashkov became an honorary citizen of Odessa.
Often, a famous actor, director or artist is endowed with a similar title to the authority of the city in which he was born or spent his childhood and youth.