Vivat, Russia!

In December, the “Best Managers of the New Era” Foundation will hold the first Petrine Assembly of the 21st century
As we have already reported, in Nizhny Novgorod at the “United Russia” forum there was a presentation of the book “Ten Roads to Success”, which was published by our Publishing House
together with the “Best Managers of the New Era” Foundation. Its president, Viktor ZASYPKO, answered questions from journalists. And then to questions from the chief editor of the book, deputy editor-in-chief of “Interlocutor” Vladimir SUKHOMLINOV.
— Viktor Semenovich, I honestly admit, it’s nice that you found the time to come to Nizhny to present the book. After all, it is important not only for us, for the heroes of the essays, but also for all managers of Russia, and therefore for your foundation. The book, I think, in some sense reflects what has changed both in our country and in your work...
- Agree. Since May 1999, when our foundation was created and the Peter the Great National Public Prize was established, a lot has really changed. I think we hit the mark by establishing the Peter the Great Prize, and then the Order of Peter the Great. After all, before this, moral and spiritual support for domestic entrepreneurs and industrialists was mostly only declared.
Based on contacts with representatives of enterprises, banks, private capital, and academic economists, we feel that everyone has long been tired of surviving, of living in anticipation of the next “reshuffles,” “extraordinary moves,” of running away from tax inspectors and the like. By the way, this period - which is almost ten years - is discussed a lot in our joint book, revealed through the difficult fates of its heroes. So everyone is bored out of their minds by this. I finally want to work normally, in a civilized manner, to receive the results of my work - and not only money, but also public recognition. This is what our foundation contributes to.
— Yes, no matter how much we ironize about socialist competition, many of our elderly fellow citizens keep certificates with Ilyich’s profile among their valuable family papers. In a decent Western company, in the boss’s office, you will always see diplomas, certificates on the walls, and on the tables - memorable prizes for success in your field of business...
- Well, a person wants to be thanked publicly. This is fine. You know that this year more than two thousand candidates from 83 regions of the country were nominated for our award. And among them are 12 governors and heads of administration, 65 mayors, 47 academic economists, 1,813 heads of enterprises in almost all sectors of the economy. Journalists, by the way, also want to not only be scolded, accused of being corrupt, etc. Therefore, among the applicants are 130 media executives.
- But the reward found, if I remember correctly, only 57 people. Among them are even President Vladimir Putin, head of the Central Bank Viktor Gerashchenko, as well as Egor Stroev, chairman of the Federation Council. Isn't it too much with the bosses, Viktor Semenovich?
- I know there are different views on this matter. Someone said: this is sycophancy. But the prize is awarded not by me, not even by the foundation, but by the decision of the Russian Public Commission. It includes famous scientists and cultural figures, heads of leading enterprises, representatives of public organizations, federal and regional authorities. Everyone has their own political preferences, their own vision of the situation. Suspect everyone of sycophancy... By the way, today few people deny the significance of the personal contribution of the current president of the country to the strengthening of Russian statehood. And that's a fact. The commission only recognized him. And tell me, why should a decent person who has done a lot for the country receive honors only after his death, and even then not always?
“I won’t continue the argument, although I’m ready for it.” I would rather agree that among the laureates of this and the two previous years there are a lot of truly outstanding, by and large, worthy people. Our journalists also talked about them. This is, say, the divine surgeon Valery Shumakov, the general director of Magnitka Viktor Rashnikov... They say, by the way, you invited all of them, including President Putin, to the Petrovsky Ball in December.
— More precisely, it will be called the first Peter’s Assembly of the 21st century, within the framework of which the ball will take place. The Assembly will be attended by senior government officials, heads of constituent entities of the Russian Federation and CIS countries, outstanding figures of science, culture and art, the first holders of the Order of Peter the Great - Kofi Annan, Valentina Tereshkova, Mikhail Kalashnikov, Zhores Alferov, laureates of the Peter the Great Prize 1999-2001... In short, many wonderful people, including ambassadors of foreign countries, top managers of leading global companies...
The presentation of a new international award will take place at the Assembly. It also bears the name of Peter and will be awarded annually by resolution of the International Public Commission to heads of state, businessmen, scientists, politicians (a wide range of applicants) for their outstanding personal contribution to the development of cooperation with Russia.
The Assembly will host a presentation of the project “New Era. Leaders of International Management", within the framework of which the international award "Golden Steering Wheel" was established. We also planned to present preparation programs for the celebration of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, honor the laureates of the International Peter the Great Prize, finally present the award to Vladimir Putin, and present the international committee for preparations for the 40th anniversary of Valentina Tereshkova’s space flight. An entire program is associated with her name. I think we will present it to the readers of Sobesednik.
I would like to emphasize that one of the main goals of the Assembly is the formation of a strong and positive image of modern Russia. With the help of the Assembly, we also want to continue the revival of the best traditions and customs of the Peter the Great era. We have a lot of ideas for the future.
- And a positive spirit in everything...
— Yes, all our projects are imbued with a positive spirit. At the Assembly, by the way, there will be a ceremony of awarding the Order of Peter the Great to new applicants. This year, for the first time, not only individuals, but also large constituent entities of the Russian Federation, industrial enterprises, military units have been nominated... There will be a presentation of the international elite women's club "Lada" and a competition for the title of "Beautiful Lady of the Assembly"... The program of the Peter's Assembly includes a charity auction, demonstration of a fashion collection, presentations, exhibitions, and competitions. And, of course, there was a ball.
— The Assembly will be opened, understand, by Emperor Peter Alekseevich himself?
- Definitely.
- Already intrigued, Viktor Semenovich. I hope that the “Interlocutor” will also receive an invitation to the Assembly and to the ball?
— I hope too (smiles) . By the way, all this action will take place in Moscow's Gostiny Dvor, near Red Square. I think this is a truly worthy place for the heirs of Peter the Great.
Nizhny Novgorod—Moscow.