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Actor Rejects Awards, Snubs Authorities

Prominent Russian actor Alexei Devotchenko rejected two state awards, saying he is tired of the current government and does not want their honors.

"I don't want to be a twice-laureate of a state award handed out by Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. … It's shameful," Devotchenko wrote on his LiveJournal blog on Friday.

Devotchenko, 46, an actor with the St. Petersburg-based Alexandrovsky Theater, said he would also like to reject his title of Honored Artist of Russia, granted by then-Governor Valentina Matviyenko in 2006.

He explained that he has not faced any direct censorship, but just "got sick and tired" of the government and its policies in general — particularly those concerning culture, Fontanka.ru reported.

Earlier Friday, Devotchenko wrote that two theater performances he was involved in had been shut down due to bureaucratic reasons, but did not elaborate.

Devotchenko has been an active opposition activist and took part in several Marches of Dissent last year, as well as signing an appeal titled "Putin must step down."

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