Merited Artist of the Russian Federation
Merited Artist of the Russian Federation (Russian: Заслуженный артист Российской Федерации, Zasluzhenny artist Rossiyskoy Federatsii) is an honorary title in the Russian Federation. The title is awarded to actors, directors, filmmakers, writers, dancers and singers for exceptional achievements in the arts.
| Merited Artist of the Russian Federation | |
|---|---|
![]() Chest badge "Merited Artist of the Russian Federation" | |
| Type | Honorary title |
| Country | Russia |
| Established | 30 December, 1995 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | People's Artist of Russia |
The honorary title was originally modeled after the German honorific title for distinguished opera singers.[1] Historically, the title was bestowed by princes or kings, when it was styled Hofkammersänger(in). In Imperial Russia before 1917, several stars of stage and film were honored with the title "Imperial singer", but after the October Revolution of 1917, the new government made changes and established the title of the Meritorious Artist of Russia (RSFSR and other Soviet republics). After the Soviets ceased to exist in 1991, Yelstin created a new award, first awarded on December 30, 1995.
