"A dedicated holiday is a great happiness": Director of the Actors’ House on Artist’s Day in Russia

As part of the first celebration of Artist’s Day at the National Centre RUSSIA, state awards were presented to cultural figures. The honorary title "Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation" was awarded to Soviet and Russian actor, Executive Director of the A. A. Yablochkina Central Actors’ House Alexander Zhigalkin.

"It is a great happiness that Russian artists now have their own holiday. Through my work as a director on set and my public role as Director of the Actors’ House, I communicate with actors every day and around the clock, and I can say that actors are one of the most extraordinary human organisms. They need to be cherished, nurtured and loved, and it is a great happiness that in our country they are treated with such respect and great warmth," said Alexander Zhigalkin.

He also spoke about support measures for elderly cultural figures implemented by the Central Actors’ House under his leadership.

"For the past, probably, forty years we have been supporting veteran actors. Every month, as part of our large veterans’ programme, we organise a special gathering. This includes concerts and financial assistance, but most importantly it is the opportunity to come to the Actors’ House on Arbat, see one another, remain socially active and understand that today they are not abandoned and can communicate with colleagues not only by phone, but also by going out ‘into society’. For this wonderful, touching and very important occasion, they even dress up especially and ceremonially," Alexander Zhigalkin added.

Soviet and Russian theatre, film, television and dubbing actor Alexander Zhigalkin is also a director, screenwriter, producer and television presenter. He is best known to the general public for his directing work on the television projects "6 Frames", "Thank God You’re Here!", "Daddy’s Daughters" and "The Voronins".