A central Moscow street has been named after the cult Soviet singer and actor Vladimir Vysotsky as the country marks 35 years since his death, the TASS news agency reported Tuesday.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin approved an earlier decision to rename two former cul-de-sacs known as Verkhny Tagansky and Nizhny Tagansky that now comprise one street in honor of the legendary performer.
“There is a museum on this street dedicated to Vysotsky and the Taganka Theater with which the poet and actor's work was so closely connected,” Deputy Mayor Leonid Pechatnikov was quoted as saying by TASS.
Vysotsky gained cult status in the Soviet Union for his trademark throaty vocals and informal songs about freedom, society and politics.
Performances of “Hamlet” at the Taganka Theater, in which Vysotsky played the title role, were frequently sold out.
While his individual stance during Soviet times meant he was largely ignored at an official level, his songs and poetry have become classics since his death in 1980 at the age of 42 after years of alcohol and drug abuse.
In a 2010 survey conducted by the state-run pollster VTsIOM, Russians named Vysotsky the second greatest Russian of the 20th century after the first man in space, Yury Gagarin.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
