May 21, 2026. Astana. At the Akorda Presidential Palace, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelovich Tokayev, during a ceremony dedicated to the Day of Cultural and Arts Workers, conferred the honorary title “Honored Worker of Kazakhstan” upon Oleg Nikolaevich Ovchinnikov, Secretary of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, conductor of the Metropolitan District Choir, and member of the Patriarchal Council for the Development of Russian Church Singing under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’.
Present at the ceremony were: Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vasilyevich Sklyar, State Counsellor of the Republic of Kazakhstan Erlan Tynymbayevich Karin, and Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Galymovna Balayeva.
The President congratulated participants of the ceremonial gathering on the Day of Cultural and Arts Workers:
“This holiday holds special significance for our country. We all know well that culture forms the foundation of our people’s national identity and spirituality. Undoubtedly, a state that has succeeded in preserving its cultural and spiritual heritage will invariably enjoy high esteem. You work tirelessly in pursuit of this noble goal, and our society greatly values these efforts. On your professional holiday, I express my sincere gratitude to all workers in the cultural and artistic sphere of our country. Our people deeply appreciate the spiritual value of art and sincerely honor talented individuals. We have always shown proper respect to those endowed with unique gifts, guided by the wisdom: ‘Art has broad horizons.’ Today’s gathering is vivid confirmation of this. Certainly, in a country rich in spirituality, citizens will possess a progressive outlook, and its future will be bright.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the President announced his decision to recognize with state awards a group of citizens whose dedicated work contributes to the advancement of national culture and the enrichment of the spiritual outlook of the people.
Kassym-Jomart Kemelovich Tokayev personally presented the maestro with the “Honored Worker of Kazakhstan” insignia and certificate.
The Presidential Decree states that the honorary title was awarded to O.N. Ovchinnikov “for outstanding achievements in the field of culture and exceptional service to the Republic of Kazakhstan.”
Oleg Nikolaevich expressed words of gratitude to the Head of State:
“I sincerely thank you for conferring upon me the high title of ‘Honored Worker of Kazakhstan.’ I regard this special mark of recognition from the state authorities not as pertaining to myself alone. I see it as a gracious acknowledgement of the labors of Orthodox Christians in Kazakhstan – all those who diligently serve in the fields of culture and the arts for the good of our native country. Together with my ensemble – the Metropolitan Choir, in which talented and devoted people labor under the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan – we shall continue, through church and classical music, to proclaim enduring spiritual and moral ideals, foster cultural and humanitarian ties among countries and peoples, strengthen peace and harmony in society, and work for the good of our common home – blessed Kazakhstan.”
In a telephone conversation following the award ceremony, the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan congratulated O.N. Ovchinnikov on receiving the high state distinction:
“On the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, the President of our country, Kassym-Jomart Kemelovich Tokayev, conferred upon you the honorary title ‘Honored Worker of Kazakhstan,’ highly recognizing your outstanding achievements in the sphere of culture and your exceptional service to the Republic. For many years you have served God and people in the field of musical and choral culture, including sixteen years as conductor of the Choir of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District.
Your activity is of great importance for the development of culture and art in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Leading the Metropolitan District Choir, you not only reveal the beauty and grandeur of church musical traditions, but also contribute to cultural dialogue and the strengthening of spiritual ties between countries and peoples. You have earned the respect and affection of numerous admirers of classical choral music. Through your work with sacred compositions by outstanding nineteenth- and twentieth-century composers, audiences in many cities of Kazakhstan, Russia, the CIS countries, and beyond have had the opportunity to encounter masterpieces of sacred music. It is heartening that you do not rest upon what has been achieved, but continue your creative endeavors, participate in diverse musical projects, and release albums featuring the finest examples of sacred and secular choral singing.
Congratulating you on the conferral of the honorary title ‘Honored Worker of Kazakhstan,’ I wish that the activity of the choir under your direction may continue to proclaim ‘peace and joy in the Holy Spirit’ (Rom. 14:17) upon this ancient and blessed land.
May the Lord, through the prayers of the new martyrs and confessors who shone forth upon the expanses of our country, grant you many years of creative vitality, peace, well-being, and the strength to continue serving God and people in the fields of church and classical musical art.”
The honorary title “Honored Worker of Kazakhstan” was established under the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan of December 12, 1995. It is conferred upon distinguished state and public figures, as well as representatives of science, culture, the arts, industry, and the social sphere for outstanding service to the Republic.
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