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The Leader of the “Zarnitsa” Became “The Soul of Russia”

The artistic leader of the people’s folklore group “Zarnitsa” of the State M.A. Sholokhov Museum-Reserve Valentina Ivanovna Koshkina is awarded with the Prize of the Russian Federation government “The Soul of Russia” in the nomination “Traditional People’s Culture” for her big contribution to the development of the people’s creative work. On December, 14, 2009, in Moscow, in the Concert Hall named after P.I. Chaikovskiy there was held a ceremony of handing in the Prize. It was joined by the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation A.A. Avdeyev.

The group “Zarnitsa” performed in the gala-concert of the art-creative groups headed by the Prize laureates.

The group “Zarnitsa”, founded in 1986 on the initiative of the first director of the Museum N.A. Bulavin, is a real song “sanctuary” preserving in its repertoire about 250 old songs of the Upper Don Cossacks. The group performed in many regions of our country and abroad, its creative work is marked by many honourary rewards.

V.I. Koshkina became the artistic leader of the “Zarnitsa” in 1997, continuing good traditions laid by the first leader of the “Zarnitsa” in 1997, continuing good traditions laid by the first leader of the group S.N. Streltsov. The group is engaged in a big concert activity and is very active in spreading the song heritage of the Don Cossacks. The laureate of the prize “The Soul of Russia” said that rewarding her with the prize marked the recognition of merits of the whole group and a high appreciation of its creative work.