Saint Petersburg Announces Candidates for Honorary Citizenship
In a formal session, Alexander Belsky, who serves as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, unveiled a fresh slate of nominees for the title of Honorary Citizen of St. Petersburg. The event highlighted a diverse group of individuals connected to the city’s cultural, scientific, and community life. One notable inclusion is the renowned People’s Artist of the USSR Edita Piekha, celebrated for her prolific contribution to the musical landscape of St. Petersburg. She has authored and performed more than 500 songs that celebrate the city, reflecting a lasting bond between her art and the local identity. The lineup also honors several other distinguished figures, including Nadezhda Strogonova, a figure associated with the city’s wartime memory and blockade narratives; Yuri Kormilitsin, a celebrated engineer recognized for his work in Russia; Valery Selivanov, who developed the Zarnitsa military-patriotic game and has ties to the city’s educational and extracurricular landscape; and Mikhail Spiridonov, a scholar in geological and mineral sciences whose research resonates with St. Petersburg’s scientific heritage.
The process itself has become a recurring feature of the city’s recognition program. Piekha has been named an honorary citizen candidate for a record number of times, including the 18th nomination in this cycle. The practice of presenting multiple candidates in these sessions underscores the city’s effort to acknowledge a broad spectrum of achievements that contribute to St. Petersburg’s cultural, scientific, and civic fabric. The most recent precedents include a 2020 nomination in which the director of a prominent cultural center received the title, alongside other notable contributors such as Evgeny Shlyakhto and Vladimir Garyugin, who hold influential roles in city institutions.
Alongside these developments, there has been public discussion about the return of familiar artistic voices to the city’s stages. Stas Piekha, a former performer from a well-known family of artists, hinted at a potential comeback that would rekindle audience interest in the city’s storied musical traditions. The conversation around this possibility reflects the enduring relationship between St. Petersburg’s audiences and its artists, and how such moments can shape the city’s cultural calendar for years to come. [Source attribution: City records and cultural council minutes]
As the selection process unfolds, observers note that honorary citizenship serves not only as a salute to past and present contributions but also as a signal of the city’s continuing values. The list of nominees often includes individuals whose work, philanthropy, or public service embodies the spirit of St. Petersburg: an appreciation for art, science, memory, and community leadership. The final decision rests with the city’s legislative bodies, which review each candidate’s achievements, their ties to the city, and the broader impact of their work on residents and visitors alike. [Citation: Official city protocol]