The film director Alexander Sokurov, actress Chulpan Khamatova and the director of the Tarkhany memorial estate Tamara Melnikova have won the State Award 2014 in literature and art.

      Names of the winners were declared by the President’s Assistant Andrey Fursenko and the presidium member of the Culture and Art Council, the President’s adviser Vladimir Tolstoy at a special briefing in the Kremlin.

      The award will be handed to the winners on June 12, the Day of Russia. The State Award of the Russian Federation is the main award in the country, the highest recognition of merits in culture and science.

      The film director Alexander Sokurov has been awarded for his contribution into development of the Russian and world cinema.

      Tamara Melnikova has been distinguished for reviving traditions of estate culture and promoting the creative heritage of Mikhail Lermontov.

      The actress Chulpan Khamatova has been acknowledged for her outstanding performance of roles in classical and modern repertoire.