Popular singer Dima Bilan has been entitled "The Russian of the Year" in the nomination "The Hope of Russia". The artist is awarded the honorable title by decision of the expert committee of the national Russian of the Year Program.

Besides Dima, "The Russian of the Year" title has been awarded to academician Vitaly Ginsburg, actress Liudmila Girchenko, producer Andrei Zvyagintzev, Minister of Defense Sergei Ivanov, General Director of State Academician Bolshoi Theater Anatoly Iksanov, chess player Anatoly Karpov, Moscow's Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, actor Yevgeny Mironov, ballet-master Igor Moiseyev, figure-skater Yevgeny Pliushenko, Rector of the Moscow State University Victor Sadovnichy, actor Oleg Tabakov and Yaroslavl's Mayor Victor Volonchunas.

The Russian of the Year Program consists of an elimination contest and the publishing project "Russia the Great".

A celebration in honor of the laureates will be held on June 12, which is the Day of Russia. The official announcement of the results of the contest will take place in the Bolshoi Conference Hall of the Presidential administration on June 6.