Laureates of the anniversary season of the Znanie.Award announced at the National Centre RUSSIA
On 3 March, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted the ceremony for the Znanie.Award — the country's enlightening prize and flagship project of the Russian society Znanie. During the event, 32 laureates in 18 nominations were announced. Many state and public figures took part in the award presentation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the participants of the Znanie.Award ceremony. His address was read out by Sergei Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation, and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Russian society Znanie. In his message, the Head of state congratulated the laureates and noted the contribution of educators to the upbringing of young people and the strengthening of ties between generations.
"Today, we honour the laureates of this prestigious award — educators and scientists, writers and journalists, entrepreneurs and public figures, entire teams who sincerely, at the call of their hearts, devote themselves to mentoring and the development of the enlightening movement in our country. I would like to note that your multifaceted work is exceptionally in demand; it broadens horizons and shapes a responsible civic position in people — especially in young people; cultivates a desire for knowledge and self-development; and strengthens the bond between generations," said Vladimir Putin.
Besides, the President congratulated everyone on Mentor's Day, which was celebrated in the country for the first time on the eve of the ceremony.
Sergei Kiriyenko joined the congratulations from the President of Russia, and expressed words of gratitude to the tens of thousands of educators across the country who, through the lectures delivered at the Znanie society, daily share not only their knowledge and experience but also personal examples.
"To convey your vision, to convey your faith, to convey a dream, you need to look someone in the eye — there is no other way. Therefore, mentors and educators are people who, first of all, set a personal example. Today, I want to address special words of gratitude to the heroes of the special military operation, to our veterans, many of whom are present in this hall. They have proven all important things — to themselves and to the country — by demonstrating miracles of courage and heroism on the battlefield," noted Sergei Kiriyenko from the stage.
Following this, Sergei Kiriyenko presented awards in the "For Overall Contribution to Enlightenment" nomination. The laureate was Margarita Simonyan, Editor-in-Chief of the Russia Today media group and RT TV channel — for her active participation in shaping the socio-political agenda, enlightening dialogue on Russia's role in the world, and the release of a series of original books. The second laureate was the project of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, "Conversations About Important Things". Thanks to it, millions of schoolchildren and college students discuss key values — the Homeland, family, history, and culture of Russia — with their teachers every week.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Chernyshenko, announced the laureates in the "For Contribution to Enlightenment in Science and Technology" nomination. The Educator of the Year was declared Natalia Popova, First Deputy Director General of the development institute "Innopraktika". The second laureate was the all-Russian project "Atomic Lesson" by the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom and the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. The award cube was personally received by Alexei Likhachev, Director General of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom.
State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, Chairperson of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, Anna Tsivilyova, announced the laureates in the "For Contribution to Preserving the Memory of the Feats of the Defenders of the Fatherland" nomination. Alias Avidzba, Deputy Commander of the International Brigade "Pyatnashka", and Head of the All-Russian Service Project "Your Hero", was declared the Educator of the Year. Despite a severe combat injury, he organised mentoring for over 1,800 veterans of the special military operation, who now meet with schoolchildren and students across the country. The all-Russian project "Without a Statute of Limitations" by the All-Russian Public Movement "Search Movement of Russia" was recognised as the best project.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Alexander Novak, presented awards in the "For Contribution to Enlightenment in the Economics, Business and Law" nomination. The winning educator was Mikhail Khomich, Chief Strategist at VEB.RF, and Head of the Entrepreneurial Direction at the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. A former Deputy Prime Minister of Udmurtia, who achieved a 300% growth in the region's exports, he now develops the All-Russian contest for growing brands named "Know Ours". The animated series "Prostokvashino. Financial Literacy" by the Soyuzmultfilm film studio, whose characters introduce children to the basics of handling money, was recognised as the best project.
Maxim Dreval, Director General of the Russian society Znanie, presented the award in the "Enlightening Company of the Year" nomination — which went to the National Centre RUSSIA. Over the year, the centre, uniting the achievements of all 89 regions of the country in science, culture, and art, was visited by nearly 500,000 people. More than 500 events took place here: international forums, festivals, lectures, and workshops, promoting cultural dialogue and patriotic upbringing.
Maria Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department and Official Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, presented the awards to the winners in the "People's Choice" category. One of the winners was Roman Veprintsev, Head of the Regional Centre for the Development of Student Self-Government in the Tula region. He had developed the first all-Russian online course on social media management for educators, and trained over 800 teachers from 72 regions of Russia and CIS countries. The second winner was the international event "Victory Dictation".
At the grand ceremony, innovations awaiting the award in the next season were announced. Specifically, to mark the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, which is taking place in 2026 by decree of the President, a thematic nomination will be created. Also, to perpetuate the memory of an outstanding scientist, the main nomination of the Award — "For Overall Contribution to Enlightenment" — will henceforth bear the name of the legendary Soviet scientist and first Chairman of the Board of the All-Union Society Znanie, Sergei Vavilov.
Event photobank
At the fifth awarding ceremony of the enlightening prize "Znanie.Award", the National Centre RUSSIA became the laureate in the "Enlightening Company of the Year" nomination.
On 3 March, a meeting of the Organising Committee for the Year of Unity of the Peoples of the Russian Federation was held at the National Centre RUSSIA.
