The President’s Chief to Staff Sergey Naryshkin awarded the author and the Public Board Member of the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal Valentin Grigorievich Rasputin with the Order of Alexander Nevsky for his merits in cultural development and creative achievements at the celebrations of 350th anniversary of Irkutsk. 　

The name of Valentin Grigorievich Rasputin is widely known in Russia and abroad. The Decree by the Russian President honours you with a high award of the Order of Alexander Nevsky. Please accept my heartiest congratulations,” said S.Naryshkin to V.Rasputin at the Award Ceremony at the Zagursky Musical Theater. The Governor of the Irkutsk Region Dmitry Mezentsev awarded the Russian classic with a medal of 350th anniversary of Irkutsk.

Valentin Grigorievich Rasputin is one of the most famous and respected modern writers of Russia. He wrote The Last Term (1970), Live and Remember (1974), Farewell to Matyora (1976), The Fire (1985) etc. Lately, he has been spending much time and energy on public and journalistic activities, especially in regard to the issues of preservation of Lake Baikal.

The Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal sincerely congratulates Valentin Grigorievich on this high award and wishes further creative accomplishments!