In the year of its 35th anniversary the newspaper “Argumenty i Fakty” (translated as “Arguments and Facts”) establishes “National Pride of Russia” awards. The “AiF” introduces 10 categories. As for the nominees and winners, they are to be chosen by the “AiF” readers.

The newspaper representatives say that our most worthy compatriots of various professions will be recognized as the award winners. The “AiF” readers have chosen the Chairman of the INGO “Committee Against Torture” Mr. Igor Kalyapin to be nominated for the category that could be translated as “Man and Citizen”.

The other nominees for the award in this category are: Lyudmila Alexeyeva (human rights defender, Chairperson of the Moscow Helsinki Group), Alexei Kudrin (former Finance Minister of Russia), Yuri Shevchuk (rock musician), Alexander Prokhanov (writer).

Newspaper readers can vote in any of the following ways:

– over the phone  8 800 200 20 35 (the service works round the clock, free number to call from Russia);

– e-mail  aif35@aif.ru;

– postal address 107996 Elektrozavodskaya str., 27/ building 4, Moscow, Russia. With the note “National Pride of Russia”;

– on the “AiF” website.

Adapted from the newspaper website.