Muscat – Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, awarded Jamal al Moosawi, Secretary- General of the National Museum of Oman, the Pushkin Medal for his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations in the fields of culture and museum activities between the sultanate and Russia.

One of the highest state awards of Russia, past recipients of the Pushkin Medal have been world leaders. The medal has now been awarded for the first time to an Omani. Named after the poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, it is awarded to foreign personalities for their role in building cultural ties between their countries and Russia.

The award ceremony was held at the National Museum on Tuesday, where H E Ilya Morgunov, Russian Ambassador to Oman, presented the medal to Moosawi.

On receiving the award, Moosawi said, “This honour is a source of inspiration for more upcoming achievements and continuous cooperation between the sultanate and Russia, and it also reflects the work in the cultural and museum fields over the past 12 years.”

He added, “Russia’s interest in Arab culture and the ability to absorb other cultures embodies the Russian spirit of cultural and religious pluralism, based on a civilisational experience that extends its roots to ancient times. Also, its identity is based on the glorification of the well-established system of noble values, and the soul inclined towards love and brotherhood.”

Work is currently underway for specialised vocational training and qualification of National Museum staff at State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.