The Eurasia International Award presented at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The National Centre RUSSIA hosted the award ceremony for the first Eurasia International Award — a distinction established by the ANO "Eurasia" in partnership with Rossotrudnichestvo. The Award recognises outstanding contributions to the development of Eurasian countries in the spheres of the preservation of traditional values, culture, education, volunteering, people’s diplomacy and historical truth.

More than 3,700 applications were submitted from 27 countries, including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Georgia, Italy, Spain, and others. The final event at the National Centre RUSSIA brought together over 1,000 participants — laureates, experts, public figures and honorary guests.

Dmitry Peskov, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, presented the first award in the "Bridges of Friendship" category to the International Forum "ProSvet" from Russia for promoting international cooperation in social, economic and cross-cultural areas.

"What the ANO ‘Eurasia’ is doing is a noble mission — cultivating the historical affinity of our peoples. It is a noble cause to unite people so that they can discuss shared values, their common vision of how states should coexist and cooperate, and how, without infringing on each other’s interests, they can work together on important projects," said Dmitry Peskov.

Director of the Department of Information and Press of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Maria Zakharova, highly praised the inaugural Eurasia International Award: "This is a remarkable event because it is genuine. It reflects the contribution of people who, despite the efforts of those opponents for whom not only Russia but peaceful coexistence itself is intolerable, prove through their daily work that peace will prevail and that cooperation is the natural form of existence for states and nations," noted Official Representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova. 

One of the most prestigious categories — "Voice of Eurasia: Inspire" — honoured media projects that promote intergenerational dialogue and present cultural traditions in contemporary formats. These projects reveal little-known pages of history, culture and the modern life of peoples. The awards were presented by Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Natalia Virtuozova.

"My father is from Tajikistan, my mother and elder sister are from Uzbekistan, and I was born in Georgia. I spent my childhood with my grandmothers — in Fergana and Gissar. On that street, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Armenians, Tatars, and Russians live side by side. Everyone is friends, visits one another and cooks pilaf together. It has always been this way, and I am sure it will remain so — it simply cannot be otherwise," said Natalia Virtuozova.

As noted by State Duma Deputy and Chair of the ANO Eurasia Council, Alena Arshinova, new ideas and projects are born through dialogue and cooperation.

"For a year and a half now, the ANO ‘Eurasia’ has been actively promoting humanitarian missions, preserving traditional values and our shared historical memory. We are doing everything to ensure that the Russian language remains the language of friendship and mutual understanding on our vast continent. But it is one thing to set goals and quite another to see them come to life. The first Eurasia International Award has shown us what truly matters — how many passionate, strong and caring people unite our continent. They do not merely speak — they act: they create, help and teach. More than 3,700 applications from 27 countries have proven that Eurasia has a great heart — and it beats thanks to these very people!" emphasised Alena Arshinova, presenting the "Leader of Eurasia" award to Zoya Arnatskaya from Russia, Founder and President of the charitable foundation "Move to the Future".

In the "Language of Peace" category, which recognises contributions to the development and preservation of the Russian language as a means of international communication, the winner was announced by philanthropist and member of the Board of Trustees of the ANO ‘Eurasia’, Ilan Shor. First place went to Botagoz Omarova, a teacher of Russian language and literature from Kazakhstan.

"The Eurasia Award is an important event that strengthens the ties between the peoples of our continent. It celebrates outstanding achievements in various fields and serves as a symbol of unity and cooperation. We have seen many talented participants from different countries, which highlights the diversity and richness of our shared cultural heritage. The 'Language of Peace' category is especially significant, as the Russian language remains an important tool for communication and mutual understanding across the post-Soviet space," said Ilan Shor.

Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Yevgeny Primakov presented a special award dedicated to the 100th anniversary of people’s diplomacy. The winners were Saodat Tursunbaeva from Uzbekistan, Stepan Beril from Moldova, Eldar Aitmatov from Kyrgyzstan and Patelis Dimitrios from Greece.

"Rossotrudnichestvo sees the Eurasia Award as a way to support the true heroes of humanitarian cooperation — teachers, volunteers and cultural figures who strengthen friendship between nations not with declarations but through real actions. The laureates show that traditional values are not preserved in isolation — they live and evolve through people’s personal involvement in the lives of their communities," emphasised Yevgeny Primakov.

Deputy Speaker of the State Duma and member of the Board of Trustees of the ANO "Eurasia" Boris Chernyshov presented the awards in the "Memory of Generations" category, dedicated to preserving historical truth and the memory of the Great Patriotic War. The winner was the project "Immortal Regiment of Russia".

"The Eurasia Award honours those who make a significant contribution to preserving historical memory. At a time when the West is trying to rewrite our shared history, the laureates of the Award become defenders of truth, standing up for it on behalf of millions," said Boris Chernyshov.

Among the honorary guests of the Eurasia Award ceremony were the Official Representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova, film director and President of the II Eurasia Film Festival Dzhanik Fayziev, State Duma Deputies and Olympic champions Irina Rodnina and Svetlana Zhurova, Head of the Presidential Directorate for State Policy in the Humanitarian Sphere Vladimir Bocharnikov, Director General of the Internet Development Institute Alexei Goreslavsky, President of the League of Nation’s Health and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Leo Bokeria, and State Duma Deputies Artyom Metelev, Denis Maydanov and Chair of the State Duma Committee on Culture Olga Kazakova. The musical programme featured performances by Vladimir Presnyakov, Natalia Podolskaya, Zara, Yulianna Karaulova, Alexander Mogilev, Vasily Gerello, Ivan Bessonov, the trio Bel Suono, and other artists.

During the ceremony, awards were also presented in 11 additional categories. In the "Cultural Code" category, the winner was the St Petersburg charitable foundation "Art Petersburg" established by Irina Bogacheva (Russia), while "Public Recognition" went to Tajikistan’s first female food blogger Nigorohohn Alimova. The "Bright Start" award was presented to Daler Khikmatov from Uzbekistan. In the "Call of the Heart" category, the winner was the environmental educational NGO "Makrapatum" (Armenia). The "Heart’s Calling: Teach" award went to Mikael Martirosyan (Armenia), "Heart’s Calling: Heal" — to Asemgul Makzhanova (Kazakhstan), and "Heart’s Calling: Help" — to Nadezhda Shamne (Russia). In the "Voice of Eurasia" block, the laureates were journalist Taalaybek Oroskulov from Kyrgyzstan ("Defend"), Rifat Gumerov from Uzbekistan ("Inspire"), and the project "International Information Agency MIA DOBROSPORT.TV" ("Report").

The prize fund of the Eurasia International Award amounted to 25 million roubles. In addition to financial support, the winners will receive mentoring, consulting and information assistance for the further development of their projects.