Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs awarded Kurdish artist and painter Norik Musoyan the prize for best diplomatic hall design for the fifth time during a ceremony on August 25.

This time, Musoyan competed in a tougher contest; his painting of Smolenskaya Square won first place among more than 300 other works in the Foreign Ministry’s diplomatic hall design competition. His award was presented by Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry noted that this year’s participants came from Russia, the United States, Austria, the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Nicaragua, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and Syria.

Read More: Russian Foreign Ministry Awards Kurdish Painter

“We are open to interacting with people who embrace creativity, who uphold traditional values, who want to express themselves not to destroy themselves or others, but to create,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zakharova, said.

“We are open, and we are ready to provide platforms for everyone, without any hint of division, let alone segregation. We are showing what a country should be like when it wants to move into the future.”

Norik Musoyan is a talented and successful young artist, as well as a bright student. This year he graduated with distinction from the College of Design.

Alongside his diploma and university honors, he was also offered a master’s degree program in his field.

The 22-year-old Kurdish designer currently resides in Moscow.