Vladimir Putin presents first 'Hero Of Labour' medals since end of Soviet Union
Vladimir Putin has presented 'Hero of Labour' medals to three workers, a famous theatre director and a brain surgeon, the first time anyone has won the award since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and the new Russian "Hero of Labour" medal (right) an the old Soviet-era counterpart (left) Photo: AP
By Tom Balmforth 12:00PM BST 01 May 2013
The 'Hero of Labour' medal was introduced by Josef Stalin in the late 1920s. A decade later, it was renamed the "Hero of Socialist Labour" award, and was awarded to more than 20,000 Soviets before it was discontinued in 1991.
In December, it was announced Mr Putin, the Russian president, would revive the award, once one of the most coveted titles of the USSR.
Among the recipients of the medal were brain surgeon Alexander Konovalov and Marinsky Theatre director Valery Gergiev who is also a principal conductor at the London Symphonic Orchestra. Mr Gergiev once performed a patriotic concert by the battlefield of the brief 2008 war between Russia and southern neighbour Georgia.
The award was also bequeathed upon three blue-collar workers.
Mr Putin has tapped into Soviet nostalgia to bolster his popularity as well as hold onto the blue-collar electorate. He has however been accused of creeping Stalinism.
In a marathon press conference just shy of five hours last week, Mr Putin denied the allegation, saying "Stalinism is connected to the cult of personality, massive legal abuses, repressions and camps. There are no such things in Russia, and I hope they will never happen again."
Polls indicate a majority of Russians support the return of the medal. But for others it is a reminder of interminable Soviet awards ceremonies, long speeches and medal-giving.
The medal is the same shape as the old five-point star lapel pin awarded in Soviet times, but it is embossed with the double-headed eagle instead of the hammer and sickle. The new medal is now reportedly pure gold, weighing in at 15 grams and to be worn on the left lapel.
Previous winners of the award include Soviet plane designers Sergei Ilyushin and Andrei Tupolev.
Dissident nuclear physicist Andrei Sakharov won it three times – although he was later stripped of all state awards in 1980 as he became more outspoken.
