Vladimir Putin congratulates USSR national artist Lev Kerbel on 85th birthday

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram to sculptor, USSR national artist, Russian Academy of Arts Vice-President Lev Kerbel, congratulating him on his 85th birthday, reported the Russian president's press service.

The telegram reads in particular: "The contemporary of a whole epoch in the country's life, you have preserved for future generations the memory of its heroes, most important events and dates. Your remarkable works embodied the picturesque characters of many outstanding figures. Now these monumental works are rightfully considered an inalienable part of our national artistic legacy."