The first Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize has been awarded to the African Union, the Russian Historical Society reports.
The first award ceremony took place on Monday, September 9, at the Bolshoi Theatre.
“The jury of the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize, awarded annually for contributions to peacekeeping and active peace-keeping activities, has selected the first winner… The first Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize is awarded to the African Union,” – announced from the stage the Chairman of the jury of the award, the artistic director of the Bolshoi Theatre and the general director of the Mariinsky Theatre Valery Gergiev.
The award was accepted by the Chairman of the AU Commission, Musa Faki Mahamat. The laureates received a unique personalized medal weighing 250 grams and made of 585-carat gold, the medal is plated with 999-carat gold. It depicts a portrait of Leo Tolstoy and his autograph. The image was chosen by the writer’s descendants.
“Thanks to the efforts of this authoritative international association aimed at promoting unity and solidarity among African states, protecting national sovereignties, maintaining peace and security on the continent, mechanisms have been established to respond to local crisis situations and a regional integration process has been launched that contributes to the socio-economic development of Africa,” – Gergiev stressed.
The Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize Foundation was established on June 22, 2022 by the Russian Historical Society, the Russian Military Historical Society and the Russian Peace Foundation. The Peace Prize is awarded for outstanding achievements in the field of preventing the threat of war, building a multipolar and non-violent world, strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between peoples.
