HSE University-St Petersburg Professor Leonid Issaev Receives Order of Burkina Faso
Leonid Issaev, professor of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs at the School of Social Sciences at HSE University-St Petersburg, was awarded the Order of Burkina Faso. The state award is given for the contribution to the development of Russian-Burkinabe relations in the sphere of culture and education.
In the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, following the decision of the president of Burkina Faso, Leonid Issaev, professor of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs, the School of Social Sciences at HSE University-St Petersburg, became a knight of the Order of the Stallion. The grand awarding ceremony took place at the 22nd National Culture Week, where Russia was a special guest.
The Order of the Stallion (French: Ordre de l'Etalon) is the highest state award of Burkina Faso, established by the decree № 93-256 dated August 6, 1993. It is given for the outstanding civil or military service to the nation, to foreign nationals as well. The name is related to the country's coat of arms, in which two stallions are depicted.
Leonid Issaev
Professor of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs
'This award is not just important for me personally, but it also symbolises the recognition of the importance of the cultural and humanitarian dialogue between Russia and Burkina Faso. I see it as a result of the joint work done by a lot of people', emphasised Leonid Issaev.
From April 25 to May 2, 2026, the cultural capital of Burkina Faso, the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, hosted the 22nd National Culture Week. The event, organised under the authority of the president Ibrahim Traoré, is the largest festival in Western Africa; it unites figures of culture and art from all the countries in the region.
This year, Russia received the status of a special festival guest. Russian participants presented a musical performance at the opening ceremony in the presence of the president of Burkina Faso and government heads of the member-countries of the Alliance of Sahel States. Besides, there was a special programme with workshops and lectures.
Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouedraogo, minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, thanked the Russian delegation for the participation and awarded Leonid Issaev, professor of HSE University-St Petersburg, the Order of the Stallion. The award is given for the long-standing contribution to the development of Russian-Burkinabe relations in the sphere of culture and education.
'Over the last three years, together with my Russian and Burkinabecolleagues, we managed to implement several large initiatives in the sphere of culture and international cooperation between our countries. This is also the recognition of our contribution to the popularisation of the Burkinabe culture in Russia and just as importantly the systematic and long-lasting work on the development of humanitarian ties and strengthening of the friendship between Russia and Burkina Faso', summed up Leonid Issaev.
