Makhachkala, December 12, 2016. The first winners of the Russian national theater prize "Golden Mask 2017" have been prematurely announced in Moscow. The names of the winners in the most honorable nominations are determined by the secretariat of the Russian Union of Theatrical Figures.

Among those who received an award "For outstanding contribution to the development of theater art" were People's Artist of the USSR, artistic director of the Chekhov Moscow Art Theater Oleg Tabakov, People's Artist of the USSR Vladimir Etush, People's Artist of USSR, soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre Irina Bogachev, People's Artist of Russia, actor of the Alexandrinsky Theatre Nikolai Marton, Dagestani singer and theatrical figure Aygum Aygumov and others.

Among the foreign artists, the Georgian director, playwright, painter, sculptor, director of the theater puppets Rezo Gabriadze also received an award.
The winners in the major categories will be determined at the festival "Golden Mask", which will be held in Moscow from February to April 2017.

The award ceremony will take place in the stage of the Moscow Musical Theater of Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko on April 19.