Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed an executive order on the awarding of the Russian Government prizes in 2008 for contribution to the development of theatrical art in the Russian Federation

Prizes have been awarded to:

• D.A.Lokhov, artistic director of the state cultural establishment Arkhangelsk Regional Puppet Theatre;
• the state cultural establishment Saratov Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre;
• the state cultural establishment Gorky State Regional Drama Theatre in Orenburg.