Gergiev Named Chair of Russia's Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize Jury

Gergiev presented the inaugural prize to the African Union, before conducting the Bolshoi choir and orchestra in two works by Tchaikovsky

Russian conductor Valery Gergiev was appointed to chair the jury for Russia's newly established Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize. This appointment comes after Gergiev lost much of his work in the West in 2022 because of his reported ties with Vladimir Putin.

The Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize writes that it awards an organization for "outstanding achievements in activities aimed at countering the threat of unleashing a third world war and at preventing a nuclear catastrophe."

At a ceremony held on September 9, 2024, at the Bolshoi Theater, Gergiev presented the inaugural award to the African Union, which was represented by Moussa Faki Mahamat.

Other jury members included the author and former Indian government official Archana Mouli, as well as French public figure Pierre de Gaulle, grandson of Charles de Gaulle.

At the closing of the ceremony, Gergiev conducted the soloists, chorus, and orchestra of the Bolshoi Theater in Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and the cantata Moscow.

"Thanks to the efforts of this authoritative international association, aimed at promoting unity and solidarity among African states, defending their national sovereignty, maintaining peace and security on the continent, the mechanisms have been put in place to respond collectively to local crisis situations," Gergiev said in his address at the ceremony.

"Various formats of the regional integration process have been launched, contributing to the social and economic development of Africa, and numerous social, cultural, educational, and other programs and initiatives are being implemented, primarily addressed to young people."

"I consider your project to be an important and in-demand initiative designed to help consolidate the international community around the noble ideas of maintaining global peace and security, protection of human rights and freedoms, and formation of the new just world order based on the principles of sovereign equality and respect for each other’s legitimate interests, the rule of international law," said Vladimir Putin in a message.