September 28, the Russian Geographical Society Award 2018 closed for further submissions. Submissions for the award started on April 27 and for five months more than 500 applications were received from all over Russia, as well as from other countries.
The geography of applicants is extensive: applications came from Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Iran and even Mozambique. Both individuals and groups of authors are competing for the Award. Many applications were received from specialized institutions (geographical institutes and universities, public organizations). Some applicants are not directly related to science, but are passionate about traveling across Russia, about researching and studying the territory of this country. The age of the participants is different; some projects were submitted by schoolchildren.
The projects cover all regions of Russia: from the West to the East and from the North to the South. Many projects are devoted to the preservation of historical, cultural and natural heritage of this country, education in geography. Different media projects were also submitted: thematic printed editions, films, TV and radio programs.
The group of experts has started to process applications. After that, the submitted projects will be considered by the jury headed by Special representative of the President of the Russian Federation on environmental protection, ecology and transport, member of the Board of Trustees of the Russian Geographical Society Sergey Ivanov. The jury consists of: Dean of the Faculty of Geography of Moscow State University Sergei Dobrolyubov, head of the Institute of Geography (RAS) Olga Solomina, biologist and TV presenter Nikolay Drozdov, pianist Denis Matsuev, film directors Nikita Mikhalkov, Nikolay Lebedev, Emir Kusturica and Oliver Stone, pilot-cosmonaut, Hero of the Russian Federation Sergey Ryazansky as well as other well-known scientists and public figures.
The Russian Geographical Award 2018 ceremony will take place in December 2018 in the Kremlin Palace in Moscow. In addition, the winners of the IV Most Beautiful Country photo contest will be announced and awarded at this ceremony.