For the 20th time the coveted Demidov Prize has been awarded in Moscow. The prize was introduced in 1831 and was handed out on April 17, the birthday of the Emperor Alexander II, until 1866. The benefactor was Pavel Demidov, a manufacturer from the Urals Region, a member of the famous Demidov family. 

      This year's prize is awarded to academician Evgeny Primakov, one of Russia's leading Orientalists and specialist in world economy and international relations, a former Prime Minister. Another recipient is Ilya Moiseev, a chemist who specialises in physical and coordination chemistry. He was one of the father-founders of modern metal complex catalysis. He is also the vice-president of the Russian Chemistry Society and the director of the Institute of Fundamental Problems of Natural Gas at the Gubkin State University for Gas and Oil. 

      The last recipient is a nuclear physicist, an expert on nuclear fusion, Honorary Research Director of the Federal Nuclear Center - Institute of Technical Physics in Snezhinsk, academician Yevgeny Avrorin. 

      All three laureates noted that it was a great honour to receive the prize and to join the company of other outstanding scholars and scientists who had been awarded previously.