Russian Kurdish singer Zara awarded Order of Friendship by Vladimir Putin
Zara expressed her gratitude and pride in receiving the honor, presented to her by Sergey Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Russian Kurdish singer Zara Pashaevna Mgoyan, known for her dedication to promoting unity and cultural harmony through music, has been awarded the prestigious Order of Friendship Medal by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The award ceremony took place at the Grand Kremlin Palace's St. Catherine Hall.
Zara expressed her gratitude and pride in receiving the honor, presented to her by Sergey Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office. Thanking President Putin, she reflected on the significance of the award in recognizing her artistic contributions and spoke of her deep commitment to using music as a bridge between cultures.
“Music has a universal language for me,” Zara stated. “My activities will always serve the unity of the people.”
Born in Leningrad during the Soviet era, Zara has become a celebrated figure in Russian culture and is the only Kurdish artist to have achieved such high honors in the country. Singing in over 10 languages, her work has attracted fans worldwide, strengthening her role as a cultural ambassador.
This recognition follows her 2017 distinction as the most outstanding artist of the Russian Federation, also awarded by President Putin at the Kremlin. In 2016, UNESCO named her a Peace Ambassador for her charitable and humanitarian contributions, adding to her legacy as a voice for peace and unity.