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Sergey Mikhalkov

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Sergey Vladimirovich Mikhalkov was a highly influential Russian author and lyricist. He was a versatile writer who created children's books, satirical plays, and fables.

Писатель С. В. Михалков (1954)
Писатель С. В. Михалков (1954)

His work spanned many different styles and genres. He is perhaps best known for writing the lyrics to the national anthems of both the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. This unique achievement placed him at a central point in the cultural history of his country. Throughout his long career, he remained a prominent figure in the literary world of the Russophone people.

One of Mikhalkov's most significant contributions was his work for children. He became one of the most popular poets for children, rivaling famous writers like Korney Chukovsky and Agniya Barto. His most beloved character was Uncle Styopa, or "Uncle Steeple" in English. Uncle Styopa was depicted as an enormously tall and friendly policeman. The poems described him performing helpful deeds, such as rescuing cats that were stuck in trees. These stories helped establish Mikhalkov as a household name for many young readers.

In 1942, Mikhalkov's career took a major turn when he caught the attention of the Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin. At that time, the Soviet Union was deeply involved in World War II. Stalin wanted a new national anthem that carried a more patriotic theme than the previous anthem, The Internationale. Mikhalkov was commissioned to write new lyrics for this purpose. He collaborated with a writer named El-Registan to create the words. These lyrics were set to a musical score composed by Alexander Alexandrov.

Vladimir Putin 13 March 2003-5
Vladimir Putin 13 March 2003-5

This collaboration resulted in the State Anthem of the Soviet Union, which was introduced on 1 January 1944.

The history of the anthem was shaped by major political changes in the Soviet Union. After Stalin died in 1953, the country underwent a period known as de-Stalinization. Because the original lyrics mentioned Stalin by name, those words were discarded. The anthem continued to be played, but it was used without any words for many years. Mikhalkov eventually wrote new lyrics in 1970. These revised lyrics removed all references to Stalin. The new version was finally approved on 1 September 1977 and became official in October 1977.

When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, President Boris Yeltsin retired the anthem. However, the musical legacy of Alexander Alexandrov returned to prominence in the year 2000. When Vladimir Putin took office, he sought to restore the use of Alexandrov's music. Although Mikhalkov was already 87 years old and retired, he decided to write a new set of lyrics for the score. These lyrics became the National Anthem of Russia. The new anthem was officially adopted on 30 December 2000. This ensured that Mikhalkov's lyrical work would continue to serve the nation.

Beyond his anthems and children's stories, Mikhalkov was a master of satire. He successfully revived the long-neglected genre of the satirical fable. He also wrote many satirical plays and provided scripts for various Soviet comedies. His talent earned him several prestigious honors, including three Stalin Prizes awarded in 1941, 1942, and 1950. He was also a recipient of the Lenin Prize in 1970. His ability to write for both children and adults demonstrated his immense range as a professional writer.

Sergey Mikhalkov's influence extended into his family and his official recognition by the state. His sons, Nikita Mikhalkov and Andrei Konchalovsky, both became famous filmmakers. In 2003, on his 90th birthday, Vladimir Putin visited Mikhalkov in Moscow. During this visit, he presented him with the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland," 2nd class. This award recognized his massive contributions to Russian culture. Mikhalkov held many other high honors, including the Order of St. Andrew, which is the highest honor in Russia. He lived a long life, passing away in Moscow on 27 August 2009, at the age of 96.

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