MOSCOW, Russia / Earth Times / August 27, 2009
Sergei Mikhalkov, author of the world-famous Soviet national anthem, died on Thursday aged 96, according to his secretary. While he was also known in Russia as a playwright and writer of children's poetry, Mikhalkov will be remembered mainly as the man who in 1943 was asked by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to pen the words for a new anthem at the height of World War II.
The anthem, which was set to music by Alexander Alexandrov, was replaced in 1990 when the Soviet Union was crumbling with a wordless melody by 19th century composer Mikhail Glinka.
Known as the Patriotic Song, the anthem was adopted by Russia but dropped in 2000 in favour of the old one after Mikhalkov was asked to re-write his original Soviet lyrics.
Photo courtesy: Voice of Russia
"The anthem is more than a symbol. We cannot live without it. We will bridge the differences between past and the present," then president Vladimir Putin said at the time.
Apart from his literary work, Mikhalkov also devoted much of his time to administrative activities, heading a number of writers' associations such as the prestigious Writers' Union of the USSR. His achievements won him numerous awards and medals.
His two sons, Andrei Konchalovsky and Nikita Mikhalkov, are both well-known film directors. [rc]
Copyright Deutsche Presse Agentur
August 27, 2009
RUSSIA: Author of Russian anthem dies at age 96
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MOSCOW, Russia / Earth Times / August 27, 2009
Sergei Mikhalkov, author of the world-famous Soviet national anthem, died on Thursday aged 96, according to his secretary. While he was also known in Russia as a playwright and writer of children's poetry, Mikhalkov will be remembered mainly as the man who in 1943 was asked by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to pen the words for a new anthem at the height of World War II.
The anthem, which was set to music by Alexander Alexandrov, was replaced in 1990 when the Soviet Union was crumbling with a wordless melody by 19th century composer Mikhail Glinka.
Known as the Patriotic Song, the anthem was adopted by Russia but dropped in 2000 in favour of the old one after Mikhalkov was asked to re-write his original Soviet lyrics.
Photo courtesy: Voice of Russia
"The anthem is more than a symbol. We cannot live without it. We will bridge the differences between past and the present," then president Vladimir Putin said at the time.
Apart from his literary work, Mikhalkov also devoted much of his time to administrative activities, heading a number of writers' associations such as the prestigious Writers' Union of the USSR. His achievements won him numerous awards and medals.
His two sons, Andrei Konchalovsky and Nikita Mikhalkov, are both well-known film directors. [rc]
Copyright Deutsche Presse Agentur
MOSCOW, Russia / Earth Times / August 27, 2009
Sergei Mikhalkov, author of the world-famous Soviet national anthem, died on Thursday aged 96, according to his secretary. While he was also known in Russia as a playwright and writer of children's poetry, Mikhalkov will be remembered mainly as the man who in 1943 was asked by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to pen the words for a new anthem at the height of World War II.
The anthem, which was set to music by Alexander Alexandrov, was replaced in 1990 when the Soviet Union was crumbling with a wordless melody by 19th century composer Mikhail Glinka.
Known as the Patriotic Song, the anthem was adopted by Russia but dropped in 2000 in favour of the old one after Mikhalkov was asked to re-write his original Soviet lyrics.
Photo courtesy: Voice of Russia
"The anthem is more than a symbol. We cannot live without it. We will bridge the differences between past and the present," then president Vladimir Putin said at the time.
Apart from his literary work, Mikhalkov also devoted much of his time to administrative activities, heading a number of writers' associations such as the prestigious Writers' Union of the USSR. His achievements won him numerous awards and medals.
His two sons, Andrei Konchalovsky and Nikita Mikhalkov, are both well-known film directors. [rc]
Copyright Deutsche Presse Agentur
