Alexander Kotlyarsky Awarded Commendation for Contributions to Historical Heritage Preservation
In the first half of 2026, a comprehensive assessment of the activities undertaken in 2025 within the realm of patriotic education was conducted. As a result, Alexander Kotlyarsky, the First Vice-President of FBA EAC, a member of the FBA EAC Bureau, and CEO of Industrial Technologies LLC, was presented with a commendation by the Sobornaya Ploshchad Association. The award was conferred in recognition of his substantial contributions to the patriotic education of the younger generation and his instrumental role in the production of a documentary about Lidia Litvyak, a Hero of the Soviet Union and legendary pilot.
The Sobornaya Ploshchad Association, under the leadership of Nikolai Gornakov, has established itself as a prominent organization specializing in large-scale film projects and the preservation of cultural heritage. It was through the initiative of this organization that the documentary about Lidia Litvyak was conceived and produced.
Lidia Litvyak, known as the "White Lily" due to the flower painted on the fuselage of her aircraft, is celebrated as the most successful female pilot of World War II. She personally downed 12 enemy aircraft and participated in the downing of an additional 4 planes as part of a group. Born in Moscow, Litvyak developed an early fascination with flying. She made her inaugural solo flight at the age of 15 and subsequently trained 45 pilots at an aeroclub prior to the outbreak of the war. Tragically, she lost her life in combat on August 1, 1943, just 17 days shy of her 22nd birthday. She was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in 1990.
Alexander Kotlyarsky's active participation in the project was instrumental in its successful completion. His contributions facilitated the completion of the filming process and enabled extensive educational initiatives aimed at preserving the memory of the heroic figures of the Great Patriotic War among the younger generation.
The commendation presented to Alexander Kotlyarsky serves as a formal acknowledgment of his efforts in educating the youth about Russia's heroic past. Additionally, it underscores the commitment of contemporary Russian businesses to invest resources not only in economic development but also in the nation's cultural and educational infrastructure.