"Kommersant" No.54/P(2657) March 31, 2003

The annual ceremony of the Person of the Year award for contributions in the creation of the image of a great Russia took place in the Cross Chamber of the Kremlin. Russian Presidential Advisor Andrey Illarionov, Krasnodar regional governor Alexander Tkachyov, Deputy Education Minister Viktor Bolotov, Chairman of the State Sports Committee Vyacheslav Fetisov, and General Director of the Dinamo football club Yury Zavarzin received diplomas and award medallions.

The ceremony concurred with the celebration of another event, which was not less important. Three years ago Vladimir Putin was elected the President of Russia. This was the reason why some laureates could not come to the event.

A flutist was playing for the guests in the lounge of the Cross Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin. In the hall, they were greeted by Chaikovsky's "The Four Seasons".

One after another, the French Ambassador Claude Blanchemaison, Deputy Chairman of the State Sports Committee Dmitry Zelenin, representative of the Russian government in the Constitutional and Supreme Courts Mikhail Barshchevsky, TV presenter Boris Notkin, Chairman of the Moscow City Duma Vladimir Platonov, and Director of the Moscow Kremlin State Museum Yelena Gagarina arrived.

The hosts of the ceremony, Larisa Verbitskaya and Vladimir Molchanov, appeared on the stage. Ms Verbitskaya said that the award in the Person in Politics was granted to Alexander Voloshin ("for active contribution in holding social and economic reforms in Russia") and commented on the absence of Mr. Voloshin: "Alexander Stalyevich is currently at an equally important event". Larisa Verbitskaya reported that in a building next door the third anniversary of Vladimir Putin's presidency was celebrated. The guests saw the picture of Voloshin and the text of his biography on the screen.

Meanwhile Vladimir Molchanov reported that Andrey Illarionov had received the award in the nomination the Person in State Governance ("for a considerable contribution in reforming the Russian economy"). The guests were honored to see both Mr. Illarionov live and his picture on screen.

The Regional Leader prizewinner was Krasnodar regional governor Alexander Tkachyov ("for high efficiency in administration"), while the award in the Person in Education nomination was granted to Viktor Bolotov ("for the implementation of the project of streamlining the education system"). There were two laureates in the nomination the Person in Sports, Vyacheslav Fetisov and Yury Zavarzin ("for establishing efficient ties between sports and business").

The prizewinner in the Culture nomination was announced. Yury Bashmet was celebrated "for the talent that serves his home country". He was not at the ceremony. It turned out that the musician had received his award several days earlier before his departure for the USA (a video was played where Yury Bashmet embosomed his award and gave thanks). President of the Russian Television Academy Vladimir Pozner was announced the Mass Media Person ("for creating highly rated TV projects"); he received the award personally.

After this it was businessmen's turns. Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" was the background for distributing diplomas.

The granting of business prizes started with the Businessman nomination; President of the MAIR industrial group Viktor Makushin received this award ("for developing unique technologies of company management"). The winner of the Top Manager nomination was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Wimm-Bill-Dann food producer David Yakobashvili ("for organizing the company's successful entering the international stock market"). CEO of the Renaissance Capital group Stephen Jennings was announced the Financier of the Year ("for implementing a large number of successful financial projects").

Vladimir Molchanov said that "among the honorable guests is a person who we deeply respect, whose courage and dignity we bow to", and asked Leonid Mikhailovich to come to the stage. Leonid Roshal, a surgeon, went on. He received flowers; one of sponsors presented him with a watch.

At the end of the ceremony the Grand Prix was awarded. The laureates of the nomination were to be decorated by the Fame of Russia order. It is remarkable that the order is granted by a decision of a decorating committee, which includes descendants of Russian merchants, Mr. and Ms Abrikosov, Khirsanov, Morozova, Khludova, Prokhorov, Krasilshchikov, and Smirnov. First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Central Bank Tatyana Paramonova won the Grand Prix and was decorated with this order ("for active implementation of International Accounting Standards in the Russian banking system").

After this the hosts of the event announced that the ceremony was closed and invited guests to continue the celebration in the Armory Chamber of the Kremlin.

The annual national award the Person of the Year was established by RIA RosBusinessConsulting.