2010:  Michael Kaiser, President of the Kennedy Center, was honored for his work bringing Russian performers of ballet, opera, and classical music to the stage.  "A Salute to Michael Kaiser" gala was held at the Embassy of the

Russian Federation in Washington, DC and included performances by ballerina Veronika Part (ABT) and Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Bishop. 

2006:  Maestro Valery Gergiev, is the Artistic and General Director of the Mariinsky Theatre in Moscow, Principal Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic, Principal Conductor of the Metropolitan Opera, and Principal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra.  This black tie tribute was held at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington, DC.

2003:  Dr. James H. Billington, US Librarian of Congress, also serves as Chairman of the A-RCCF Advisory Board.  He is a scholar of Russian history, literature, art and culture.  This black tie event was held at Russian Ambassador  Yuri V. Ushakov’s residence in Washington, DC.   First Lady  Laura Bush was the Honorary Chairwoman.

 1995:  Igor Moiseyev, celebrated choreographer, was honored as a pioneer of

Russian American cultural exchange.  His 1958 American debut received critical acclaim and marked the first of ten tours in the United States.  He was also the first to present American dance and dance culture to the people of Russia.  The award was presented in Fort Lauderdale, FL, immediately following a program at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts by the Moiseyev Dance Company.

 2002:  Tatiana Kudriavtseva, distinguished Russian translator of American literature, including works by Mark Twain, Jack London, Theodore Dreiser, Margaret Mitchell,

Arthur Hailey, John Updike, John Cheever, Gore Vidal, and Norman Mailer, was honored for her promotion of cultural cooperation.  This black tie gala took place at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington, DC and also celebrated

A-RCCF’s 10^th Anniversary.

 1994:  Van Cliburn, world-renowned pianist, was honored for his dedication to cultural cooperation, and proving that music and culture have no boundaries.  This black tie event was held at Lisner Auditorium at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, with Walter Cronkite providing a narration. A commemorative medallion was minted for this special occasion.  The First Ladies of the US and Russia, Hilary Clinton and Naina Yeltsina, presented the award on behalf of the Foundation.

2008:  Dave Brubeck, the legendary jazz musician, was honored for his work in cultural diplomacy between the US and Russia.

"A Salute to U.S.-Russia Cultural Diplomacy” gala was held at the

Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington, DC.

This gala also celebrated the 15^th Anniversary of A-RCCF.

Awards

2009:  Yevgeny Yevtushenko, the famous Russian poet, is considered a mix of

Walt Whitman and Bob Dylan by American critics.  He was honored at

"A Legacy of Laureates:  Two Poets in Bronze"  for his commitment to the arts and to the shared culture of the US and Russia, evident by his lifelong devotion to his

cultural work in both countries.   A voice of freedom and understanding, his work is influential all over the world.   The black tie gala was held at

the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington, DC.

1993:  Maestro Mstislav Rostropovich was honored for his outstanding contributions to cultural understanding between the United States and the Russian Federation. A commemorative coin was minted in honor of the event.  The black tie gala was held at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington, DC and included a concert with

Evgeny Kissin, Carter Brey, Wu Han, Ignat Solzhenitsyn, and members of the National Symphony Orchestra.  President Boris N. Yeltsin and President William J. Clinton

served as the Honorary Co-Chairmen.

2011:  Dr. G. Wayne Clough, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution accepted the award on their behalf, honoring 150 years of US-Russian scientific cooperation.

"Giants of Science" was also dedicated to the 300th Jubilee of Mikhail Lomonosov, one of Russia's most revered scientists and to Benjamin Franklin, his American counterpart.

The Gala included a performance of "Mike and Ben," a play written by

The Honorable James W. Symington and performed by Mr. Symington and

Justice Antonin Scalia. It also included special guest speaker Jim Leach,

Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. It was held at the

Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington, DC under the patronage of

H.I. Sergey I. Kislyak, Ambassador of the Russian Federation.