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Monument to renowned actor Anatoly Papanov built in his birthplace

Ceremony was timed to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the actor's birth

SMOLENSK, October 31 (Itar-Tass) — A monument to renowned actor, People's Artist of the Soviet Union Anatoly Papanov has been inaugurated in his birthplace — the town of Vyazma in the Smolensk region, on Wednesday. The ceremony was timed to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the actor's birth.

 A commemorative postage stamp featuring the actor was issued on the occasion.

The name of the celebrated actor who starred in many films, has a real "star" connotation. The name of Anatoly Papanov was given to minor planet 2480. There is also a street named after Papanov in his birthplace in Vyazma, and a three-decker ship 'The Anatoly Papanov', belonging to the Volga shipping company, was named in his honor.

A sculptural composition in bronze which features the actor reciting verses was established in the centre of Vyazma. The sculptor, Igor Chumakov, was declared winner in a special "Papanov" open competition. The jury announced the winner found best among 18 contestants who presented their designs of the monument. Yelena Papanova- the daughter of the celebrated actor, and the actor's widow- Nadezhda Karatayeva- Papanova, took part in the work of the jury.

An exhibition titled "A man of a very kind heart" dedicated to the actor was opened in Vyazma. On display are exhibits connected with the actor's life and work which were contributed by a local history museum and the actor's family.

Anatoly Papanov was born in Vyazma in 1922. When Papanov was eight years old his family moved to Moscow. In 1937 Anatoly Papanov played his first role in the cinema - he was engaged in an episode in a series about Vladimir Lenin. During World War II Papanov served in air defense troops. The actor convalesced after a serious wound and returned to Moscow to study at one of its best theater schools — GITIS.

Anatoly Papanov took part in more than 70 feature films and animated cartoon films which characters speak in the actor's voice. Papanov last starred in the Cold Summer of 1953 film as a man in political exile, and his last theater role was in the Red Mare with the Bells play staged at Moscow Satire Theater.

A gala ceremony held on the occasion of opening the monument was attended by prominent officials of the Smolensk administration, the actor's relatives and actors of the Moscow Satire Theater where the actor worked for more than 40 years.