Legendary poet Sergey Mikhalkov, the author of both Soviet and Russian national anthems, has been buried in Moscow with full military honors.
He was laid to rest at the Novodevichy cemetery, where Russia’s most prominent figures are buried. The tomb of Sergey Mikhalkov is next to singer Lyudmila Zykina, often referred to as “Russian Edith Piaf”, and the outstanding ballerina Galina Ulanova.
Prior to his burial, thousands of Russians, including some government officials, came to pay their final respects at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in central Moscow.
Sergey Mikhalkov died on Thursday at the age of 96.
After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Mikhalkov was chosen to breathe new life into the old tune, and in 2001 Russia received its new anthem.
Sergey Mikhalkov was also hailed as an author of children's literature, as several generations have been raised on his poems.
Nowadays he is better known as the father of two leading Oscar-winning Russian film makers, Nikita Mikhalkov and Andrey Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky.