The award was appointed by the Committee for external relations of St. Petersburg. The award ceremony was held on December 21 in the Congress hall "Vasilievsky".
According to the Chairman of the Committee Evgeny Grigoriev, the award was established last year. Different organizations became the nominees and individuals who sincerely strive to develop international relations for the benefit of the city and put their heart and soul into their work. "Each of the award winners made a great contribution to the development of international and interregional cooperation of St. Petersburg. During the implementation of joint projects, we have always been in touch, partners readily responded to the initiatives of the Committee" – said Evgeny Grigoriev.
To the question «Why did the lion become the symbol of the award?» Yevgeny Grigoryev said: "Everyone knows that St. Petersburg is the city of Lions. These animals are a symbol of power, military prowess, and on Roman mythology, still and symbol of love. We believe that the lion award reflects the qualities of our nominees: they do great and worthy things and sincerely love our city."
It is interesting that the statuette of the award is not a simple lion, but the most "Petersburg". According to local historians and bloggers, these are the lions on the Admiralty embankment. It is known that during the war the figures of lions on the Admiralty embankment were not closed and "kept their watch". During the shelling and bombing of Leningrad copper lions were "seriously injured". Despite the damage, the lions survived the blockade and remained in their places.
By order of the Committee, the designers creatively reworked this sculpture. It was made gold plated. They added malachite green and the stand – cat's – eyes. The image is completed by two stylized columns, which are reduced copies of the historical St. Petersburg chippers standing at the arches of the houses.
Among the directions in which the award was given: promotion of St. Petersburg culture abroad and in the regions of Russia (the project "St. Petersburg international balalaika week "Russian miracle", "St. Petersburg cuisine", etc.), support for the study of the Russian language abroad (publication of textbooks on the Russian language abroad and organization of competitions for children studying the Russian language), preservation of historical memory (creation of a monument in Kemerovo dedicated to the feat of residents and defenders of the siege of Leningrad during the great Patriotic war of 1941-1945; research and assistance in the registration of military graves and development of registration cards of military graves), charity (cancer treatment of 4-year-old girl from Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina) and others.
List of nominees:
1.1. In the nomination "for effective cooperation and friendly partnership in promoting the interests of St. Petersburg abroad and in the regions of the Russian Federation" Chernov Anatoly Petrovich is awarded as a part of the creative author's group A. p. Chernov, L. A. Chernova, V. A. Manachinsky.
1.2. In the nomination "for effective cooperation and friendly partnership in promoting the interests of St. Petersburg abroad and in the regions of the Russian Federation" Chernova Lada Anatolyevna is awarded as a part of the creative author's group A. p. Chernov, L. A. Chernova, V. A. Manachinsky.
1.3. In the nomination "for effective cooperation and friendly partnership in promoting the interests of St. Petersburg abroad and in the regions of the Russian Federation" is awarded to manachinsky Vladislav Alexandrovich as part of the creative author's group A. P. Chernov, L. A. Chernov, V. A. Manachinsky.
2. In the nomination "for high professionalism and innovation in joint work to promote Russian culture of St. Petersburg traditions abroad" is awarded to Vitaly Romanov – Director of St. Petersburg state UNIVERSITY "St. Petersburg music Lyceum".
3. Anatoly A. Orlov, Chairman of the Czech public organization Ark – Arha, is awarded in the nomination "for selfless and effective work on the promotion of the Russian language abroad".
4. In the nomination "for active participation in projects to promote the image of St. Petersburg abroad and in the regions of Russia" is awarded Garbar Leonid Petrovich-President of NP "Federation of restaurateurs and hoteliers North – West".
5. In the nomination "the Initiator of a new and innovative presentation project of St. Petersburg abroad and in the regions of Russia" is awarded Abelev Georgy-Chairman of the Board of Directors of omega company.
6. In the nomination "for effective cooperation in promoting the export potential of St. Petersburg" Irina Ilyasova, Executive Director of the Directorate of the largest clients of CIB PJSC "Sberbank", is awarded.
7. In the nomination "Philanthropist and charity partner of St. Petersburg abroad and in the regions of Russia" is awarded Stolpner Arkady Zinovievich-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the group of companies of the Berezin Sergey Medical Institute.
8. In the nomination "for active work on preserving the memory of the exploits of Russians and Petersburgers abroad and in the regions of Russia" is awarded Savelyeva Galina Sergeevna – President of the Information and analytical center "Remember all by name".
9. In the nomination "For the moral content of international relations of Saint-Petersburg" is awarded to Karapetyan Armenak – Chairman of ANO "Center of business cooperation of Yerevan and St. Petersburg."
The plot of the award "Golden lion" on the TV channel “St. Petersburg”: https://topspb.tv/news/2018/12/22/v-peterburge-vruchili-premiyu-zolotoj-lev/