A deputy of the State Duma, Boris Chernyshov, presented to Olga Lyubimova, head of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, a proposal to award Mikhail Shufutinsky the title of People’s Artist of Russia. The information comes from a report by DEA News. Chernyshov pointed out that after Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the founder of the Liberal Democratic Party, addressed the president, Shufutinsky had already received the title of Honored Artist, noting that ten years have passed since that recognition.
“On September 3, it is clear to everyone that Mikhail Zakharovich embodies the very essence of a people’s artist, in the literal sense of the term,” Chernyshov remarked, noting that the request for the title was formally submitted to the Minister of Culture, Olga Lyubimova. (Source: DEA News)
In 2023, Shufutinsky’s iconic work “September Three” marks its thirtieth anniversary. Over the years, the song and lines from it have become a cultural meme, with fresh jokes circulating online around the anniversary, the calendar turn, and the imagery connected to the ascent of mountain ash bonfires referenced in the piece.
Despite the track’s enduring popularity, Shufutinsky has stated that he did not generate “a million dollars” from the song.
Meanwhile, data from 2022 shows that among Yandex.Music users, the track “Third September” performed by Yegor Creed and Mikhail Shufutinsky was among the most shared songs on the platform. (Source: Yandex.Music user activity data)
In a broader public discourse, a former member of parliament touched on a separate cultural controversy by suggesting that the film “Barbie” faces restrictions in Russia due to perceived LGBT messaging. This remark sits alongside the ongoing conversation about cultural symbols, media influence, and state recognition within contemporary Russia.