Vladimir Putin received a painting dedicated to the children of Donbass, a gift from artist Alexey Kryukov reported by RIA News. The presentation took place alongside the awards for the Presidential Prize for young cultural figures for 2023 and the Presidential Prize in literature and art for works for children and young people for 2023.
Kryukov accepted the recognition for his contributions to the preservation and development of the traditions of the Russian realistic art school. He noted that among his series depicting Donbass residents there is a distinct cycle focused specifically on children.
He explained that the inspiration began in Lugansk in 2016, when he visited as a volunteer and artist and saw children drawing with chalk on asphalt, leaving holes in the street as part of their play. That scene left a strong impression, fueling a sense of wonder and hope for him.
The artist remarked that the girl who drew the world and her parents on the asphalt became a symbol of hope. He added that the gesture of presenting this work to the president carried symbolic meaning in many respects and hoped it would be received with the same sense of significance that he felt when creating it.
In other news, Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, reportedly invited Vladimir Putin to make an official visit to Vietnam. The invitation underscores ongoing exchanges at high levels and a shared interest in cultural and political ties between their nations.
Earlier, singer Alexander Malinin spoke about the Crocus City Hall incident, offering commentary on the terrorism-related event and its impact on public safety and the arts community.