The first in Russia monument to Anatoly Papanov was opened in Smolensk region

The solemn ceremony of opening of monument to People's Artiste of the USSR Anatoly Papanov took place in Vyazma. This monument became the first monument in our country devoted to Anatoly Dmitrievich Papanov. Governor Aleksey Ostrovskiy, Nadezhda Karataeva – widow of Anatoly Papanow and Elena Papanova – his daughter participated in solemn events devoted to the 90-th anniversary from the birthday of the great actor of cinema and theatre and our townsman.

«Today we remember the distinguished actor, who unfortunately is not with us any more but in our memory and in our hearts he is with us every day, – said the Head of the region during the solemn ceremony of monument's opening. – But until now, when we come into contact with his art, he gives us a great mood. And all the wonderful retrospective of Soviet films, of course, primarily related to our townsman Anatoly Dmitrievich. And of course,we are proud of the fact that there are such a very worthy representatives of our Smolensk region».

Widow of actor Nadezhda Karataeva thanked all natives of Smolensk region which come to pay respect to the actor. Actors of the Theatre of Satire also came to honor the memory of their colleague.

After monument's opening went natives of Vyazma and guests of the district to the local historical museum to see the exhibition devoted tothe 90-anniversary of the actor. On display were exhibits collected over the past thirty years, the things that touched the hand of the great actor, items which are associated with the main stages of his life.

Papanov's father played in the national theatre of Vyazma. Little Tolya visited performances and a magical world of art made ​​an indelible impression upon him. In the early 30's moved Papanov's family to Moscow. From the first days of the war went Anatoly Papanov to the front where he was severely wounded. On his return he entered in GITIS. In 1982 he visited his birthplace in Smolensk where the movie "The fathers and grandfathers" was taken.

Among the exhibits are book autographed by the artist, article in the magazine "Soviet Screen" shako from the play "Revisor", the program of the play "A captive of time," Playbill of the performance "Latest" on the play by Maxim Gorky, where Anatoly Papanov acted as director. Today the exhibition enriched its exhibits - Nadezhda Karataeva donated to the museum personal items of her husband including a coat, in which he played one of the roles.

A special postcard transmitted to the remarkable date was presented to museum.