in an aesthetic, in the expansion of the palette — what shades could be added in working with space and style," he says. Leonardo Shapiro concludes that "Lyubimov is probably best known for his daring theatrical adaptations of poetry and novels and his successful (and sometimes unsuccessful) run-ins with Soviet Premiers and Ministers of Culture over forbidden material." As an actor, he performed in 37 plays and 17 films, and several remain classics. Vladimir Vysotsky dedicated some of his famous songs (including "It's Not Evening Yet") to Yuri Lyubimov. Lyubimov, a director who dominated Russian theatre for half a century, died at 97, after being admitted to the Botkin Clinic in Moscow with heart failure. Europe Theatre Prize In 2011 he was awarded a Special Prize by the Jury of the XIV Europe Theatre Prize, in Saint Petersburg. The prize organization stated: There is a Special Prize for figures displaying particular commitment in combining their own cultural and/or political experience at the highest level with the European ideals and those of peace and coexistence between peoples (...) The Jury of the 14th edition unanimously awarded this to the legendary Russian director Yuri Petrovich Lyubimov for his unquestionable artistic stature and the crucial role that he and the Taganka Theatre played in the delicate phase of perestroika marking the transition from the Soviet Union to contemporary Russia. Awards Medal "For the Defence of Leningrad" (1943) Medal "For the Defence of Moscow" Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" State Prize of the USSR, 2nd class (1952) - for his role in the play Tyatina "Yegor Bulychov and others" by M. Gorky (Theatre Vakhtangov) BITEF First Prize for Hamlet (1976) First Prize of “Theatrical Meetings in Warsaw” II International Festival, Poland (1980). London Evening Standard Award for “Crime and Punishment” by F. Dostoyevsky (1983) People's Artist of Russia (1991) Spectator’s Sympathy Prize of the International Theatrical Festival in Athens (1995) Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 3rd class, Russia (16 September 1997) - for his great personal contribution to the development of theatrical art State Prize of the Russian Federation (1997). Honorary Medal of the President of the Hungarian Republic (1997). Grand Prix of the International Festival in Saloniki (1999). “Golden Mask” in the nomination “For Honour and Dignity”, Moscow (2000). Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters (France, 2002) for outstanding theatrical work Grand Officer