Chechen journalists receive special prize of TV Festival "Hero of Our Time"

On November 27, Rostov-on-Don closed the "Hero of Our Time" festival of socially relevant television programmes and TV films. It was held for the fourth time by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), and for the first time - in the south of Russia. A series of programmes made by Chechen journalists by the 65th Victory Anniversary was specially marked.

"Rostov-on-Don brought together TV journalists gathered from 20 regions of the country. The festival was supported by the Federal Agency for Press and Mass Communications, Administration of the Rostov Region and the Media Group 'Southern Region," said Alexander Lavrentiev, Minister for Posts and Mass Communications of the Rostov Region, at the closing ceremony, where he announced the message of Governor Vasily Golubev.

The special prize, established by the Governor, was given to the "Don-TR" TV and Radio Company for their work, dedicated to veterans of the Great Patriotic War.

Eduard Sagalaev, President of the NAB, congratulated the participants of the festival, urged journalists to "love their heroes and to respect their spectators" and reminded that people, who just happen to live in dignity, become heroes of our days.

Leonid Mlechin, a famous TV journalist and chairman of the jury, said at the closing ceremony that the jury had decided to add five more prizes to the main prizes in categories, of which the special prize "Best Producer" was given to Ramzan Dzhavatkhanov, deputy director of the STRC (State TV and Radio Company) "Vainakh" (Grozny) for their series of programmes named "They Defeated Fascism".

Nura Shaipova, chief-editor of the news service and the author of the cycle "They Defeated Fascism," told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent: "I couldn't even imagine the impact on my perception of the world caused by meetings with war veterans. The fate of Chechen veterans was full of various challenges - both at war and after; and now again, in their old age, they faced war and destruction. But they, the persons who had the right to blame the state, have preserved their soul power. They are same kind and open. You get infected by their energy and realize a simple truth: every generation is tried by the time; and the main thing in hardships is to remain a human and preserve the icon lamp light, which we have in each of us. Our veterans are still strong and wise; and I love them very much for that."