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The gala ceremony for the Bridge Awards was held on June 18. This is the 1st international award for contribution to the development of cultural and business collaboration in Moscow.

The winners across 12 categories are:

• Architecture and Construction — Alexandr Amirov, Director of the architectural bureau Amirov Architects (Georgia).
• Business — David Henderson-Stewart, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Raketa Watch Factory (New Zealand).
• Integration and Adaptation — Koggala Liyanage Chethana Meshan, President of the Ufa Branch of the Association of International Students in Russia (Sri Lanka).
• Culture — Kohei Fukuda, ballet dancer, producer (Japan).
• Media and Communications — John Warren, TV Presenter, Showman, Producer (the United Kingdom).
• Medicine and New Health-Saving Technologies — Muboraksho Muborakshoev, Surgeon at Family Doctor chain of clinics (Tajikistan).
• Science and Innovation — Pavlos Lagoudakis, Professor at Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Greece).
• Education and Enlightenment — Tony Patrick Chamberlain, Russia Ready Educational Сamp project founder (USA).
• Community Activities and Charity — Anicet Gabriel Kotchofa, Ambassador of Russian Education and Science (Benin).
• Sport and Healthy Lifestyle — Jeffrey William Monson, Founder of Jeff Monson Academy (USA).
• Traditional and Family Values — Arend Feenstra, Farmer (Canada).
• Tourism and Hospitality — Henrik Winters, Chairman & Founder of Tigrus Restaurant Holding (Denmark).

Additionally, a special award named after Alexander Stieglitz was presented to David Arthur Brown, co-owner of the Soyuz Microphones company, industrial designer, frontman of the Brazzaville band, and author of the book "A Cozy Corner of the Galaxy" (USA)*. The award was presented to him by Margarita Stieglitz, a renowned architectural historian and descendant of Baron Stieglitz.

The results of the award were summarized by Sergey Cheremin, Head of the Moscow Department for External Economic and International Relations: “Moscow actively pursues a strategy focused on city and public diplomacy. We build relations not only at the government level, but also through people-to-people ties, cultural exchange, and professional dialogue. This makes cooperation stronger and more sincere. That is why today’s award is a natural step, recognizing the immense contribution of foreign citizens and repatriates to the development of our capital and the country as a whole. We see how much these people are doing, and we believe it is right and important to express our gratitude to them publicly.”

In total, 108 candidates from 41 countries competed for the awards. Alexander Vaino, Director of the “Young Professionals” Direction at the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, pointed out that “the participants of the Bridge Awards showcase how talented and driven individuals from all over the world contribute to the growth of Russia. The list of nominees features entrepreneurs, researchers, educators, figures of culture, social leaders, and representatives of numerous other professions. Each nominee executes a dedicated project, fostering new opportunities for the development of regions, professional communities, and international cooperation. Such people reinforce the personal bonds between nations, confirming that open professional dialogue continues to be a crucial foundation for mutual growth.”

The award was initiated by The Bridge Club public and business platform. The Agency for Strategic Development “CENTER” serves as the operator of the event. Sergei Georgievskii, the company's co-founder, underlined that “the organizers strive to turn the award into an annual event featuring a broad program that promotes dialogue regarding talent attraction to Russia. This could include lectures, seminars, discussions, and other formats aimed at education in this field and building a Bridge of Friendship between the citizens of countries that support Russia.”

The Bridge Awards is supported by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Moscow Department for External Economic and International Relations, and the Moscow Center for International Cooperation, with the Agency for Strategic Initiatives acting as the strategic partner.

Detailed information about the award is available on the official website: bridgeaward.ru/en

Foto: Nikolaj Sokolov