By another presidential decree, the honorary title of Honoured Artist of the Republic of Abkhazia was conferred upon Alexei Vladimirovich Dubrovsky, Chief Director of the State Academic Maly Theatre of Russia and Head of the Acting Department at the Mikhail Shchepkin Higher Theatre School, for his achievements in the field of culture and the arts, his contribution to the development of Abkhaz-Russian cultural and humanitarian cooperation, and his role in training professional creative personnel for the Republic of Abkhazia.

From 11 to 14 June, the State Academic Maly Theatre of Russia toured Abkhazia for the first time in its history. During its landmark visit, held as part of the theatre’s 270th anniversary season, the theatre presented Nikolai Gogol’s plays “Marriage” and “The Gamblers” on the stage of the Fazil Iskander State Russian Drama Theatre.

Earlier, President Badra Gunba met with Alexei Dubrovsky, Chief Director of the Maly Theatre and Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation, as well as Irina Muravyova, People’s Artist of the Russian Federation. During the meeting, the President noted that the theatre’s first-ever tour in Abkhazia would become a landmark event in the cultural life of the republic.