In a telegram to Pakhmutova, Putin called Dobronravov a “true creator”

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to composer Alexandra Pakhmutova in connection with the death of her husband, poet and songwriter Nikolai Dobronravov. The text of the telegram was published on the Kremlin website.

"Nikolai Dobronravov was an outstanding son of the Fatherland, a true creator and builder, a truly beloved person. His passing is a great, irreparable loss for Russia, for all of us," the Russian president wrote.

According to Putin, Dobronravov’s poetry reflects “bright, unforgettable pages in the history of a great country, the labor achievements of his contemporaries, their dreams and aspirations, courage and strength of spirit,” as well as human dignity.

“I am convinced that the honest, inspired, and amazingly sincere work of Nikolai Dobronravov will always be in tune with the times,” the head of state concluded.

Dobronravov's death became known on the night of September 17. The poet and songwriter was 94 years old, he died after a long illness.

Dobronravov was born in 1928 in Leningrad, he graduated from the Nemirovich-Danchenko School-Studio at the Moscow Art Theatre of the USSR. Among the famous songs he wrote are "Hope", "And Again the Fight Continues", "A Coward Doesn't Play Hockey", "Bird of Happiness". At the end of 2020, the poet and his wife were hospitalized with coronavirus.

They were examined at a private clinic in Barvikha. During the examination, they were diagnosed with COVID-19 . As Komsomolskaya Pravda wrote, according to the couple's acquaintances, it was in the hospital that the spouses contracted the coronavirus, after which they were admitted to the Central Clinical Hospital.

The couple were discharged from the hospital in January 2021.

Dobronravov will be buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow, wrote the city's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin .

The poet was awarded the Lenin Komsomol Prize for his poems for the cycles of Komsomol songs, the Order of the Badge of Honor, the USSR State Prize, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 3rd degree, and the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 2nd degree.

Alexandra Pakhmutova is a Soviet and Russian composer and pianist. She wrote more than 400 songs that were performed by Iosif Kobzon, Yuri Bogatikov, Pesnyary, Anna German, Muslim Magomayev and others. Her state awards include the Order of Merit for the Fatherland of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree, two Orders of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor and the Order of Friendship of Peoples. Pakhmutova turned 93 in November 2022.