Alexander Zhukov's opening speech:
Good afternoon, invited guests and those gathered here to receive their awards,
First of all, I would like to welcome you all and congratulate everyone who has been honoured with the Russian government's culture award.
Culture cannot be valued or measured: it is intangible. It is our national wealth and the most important source of the country's social and economic development. Thus we should regard the preservation and development of Russia's multi-national culture as one of our country's top priority goals.
Russia's creative and intellectual potential depends to a large extent on these laureates. And this potential is indeed great.
This is the fourth time this award has been given. It has already accumulated a history of its own, comprising the names of really talented people.
Your creative achievements are the face of the Russian culture, the manifestation of its tremendous creative energy.
I would like to mention something else that is very important. Today is the first time that this award has been given to people who developed projects for children and youth. This is especially important in nurturing young people's love for and loyalty to our Fatherland and its great cultural traditions.
So many works of such high quality were presented at the 2009 contest that our jury faced a really difficult choice.
This award is the acknowledgement of your contribution to our culture.
I hope that it will help to discover more bright talents in the future.
And now let us begin the long-awaited awards ceremony.