People's Artist of Ukraine
People's Artist of Ukraine is an honorary title. It is the highest title awarded to outstanding performing artists whose merits are exceptional in the sphere of the development of the performing arts, including theatre, music, dance, circus, and cinema. Established in 1922 during Soviet times, it was called People's Artist of the Ukrainian SSR (Народний артист УРСР). With the establishment of independent Ukraine, this tradition was kept and the title was renamed as People's Artist of Ukraine (Народний артист України). Its recipients include many of the most highly acclaimed artists. During Soviet times, a person was usually named People's Artist only after reaching the age of 40. Exceptions were made for ballet artists. There is also another honorary title, the Distinguished Artist of Ukraine («Заслужений артист України»), which is considered less important. Typically, the People's Artist award is given at least 10 years after one has earned the Distinguished Artist of Ukraine award. List of selected recipients People's Painter of Ukraine Kateryna Vasylivna Bilokur Liudmyla Zhogol Volodymyr Patyk Theatre, cinema Some of those awarded the honorary title in the fields of cinema and theatre are: Lidiya Belozyorova, actress Stanislav Boklan, Ukrainian theater, film, and television actor Volodymyr Bortko, film director,