Russian Kurdish singer Zara Pashaevna Mgoyan was awarded the Order of Friendship medal by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Friday at the Grand Kremlin Palace’s St. Catherine Hall.

The award was presented to her by Sergey Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office.

Zara was born on July 26, 1983, in St. Petersburg and started her musical career when she was only 12 years old.

Read more: Zara: The Melodious Voice Echoing the Heart of Kurdistan

Her Kurdish identity has remained important to her and she has released several Kurdish songs, including on her 2023 album Kalama Dile Min, which includes the single Welate Min, featuring the famous Kurdish artist Sivan Perwer.

On December 5, 2016, Zara was designated a UNESCO Artist for Peace for her commitment to the values and ideals of the organization.

Also in January 2017, she received the honorary title of the Merited Artist of the Russian Federation.

On April 4, 2019, President Putin awarded Zara the Medal of Honor, Second Class, in recognition of her artistic service to her country.