Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his warm congratulations to Zurab Konstantinovich Tsereteli, a renowned People’s Artist of the USSR and the Russian Federation, on his milestone 90th birthday, highlighting the artist’s wide-ranging, original talent and enduring creativity. The telegram conveying the greeting was issued through the Kremlin’s official channels and underscored the long arc of Tsereteli’s artistic journey. (Kremlin press service)
In the telegram, Putin expressed sincere wishes for the artist and noted that through many years of relentless creative pursuit Tsereteli has manifested a generous, versatile, and distinctly original talent. The message also acknowledged the high level of professional recognition he has earned over decades of work, reflecting the impact of his contributions to modern Russian art. (Kremlin press service)
Beyond his artistic output, the President highlighted Tsereteli’s roles as an educator and organizer, recognizing his commitment to serving the homeland through culture and education. The wishes included a hope for continued good health and prosperity in the years ahead, alongside expressions of respect for his lifelong mission in the arts. (Kremlin press service)
Zurab Tsereteli has led the Russian Academy of Arts since 1997, a tenure marked by his efforts to promote artistic excellence and to strengthen institutional leadership within Russia’s cultural landscape. He is also widely known as the founder of the Zurab Tsereteli Art Gallery, a venue dedicated to showcasing diverse artistic practices, and as the founder and director of the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, a hub for contemporary work and dialogue in the capital. (Kremlin press service)
Among his recent commemorative projects is the unveiling of a monument to composer Tikhon Khrennikov in the town of Yelets, located in the Lipetsk region. The ceremony is planned to coincide with the 110th anniversary of the composer’s birth, highlighting the enduring cross-section of music and visual art in Tsereteli’s oeuvre. (Kremlin press service)
This sculpture represents Khrennikov’s first monument in his hometown, with the in situ bust having been moved for safekeeping to the house-museum of the celebrated cultural figure in Yelets. The project underscores the artist’s ongoing engagement with historical figures and public memory, translating intimate biographical moments into publicly accessible sculpture. (Kremlin press service)
Earlier discussions have circulated about the possibility of erecting a monument to musician Yegor Letov in Omsk, reflecting ongoing conversations about commemorative art and regional cultural initiatives within Russia. (Kremlin press service)