Russian Cartoon Artist Yuri Norshtein and His Creations

Yuri Norstein, a famous Soviet and Russian cartoon artist and director, disputably the father of Russian animation, celebrates his 73rd birthday on September 15. His animated shorts, 'Hedgehog in the Fog' and 'Tale of Tales' made him world-famous, with Hayao Miyazaki amoung his admirers.
Above: Yuri Norshtein in a file photo.

Above: Yuri Norshtein working on his cutout-animated film 'Go There, Don't Know Where' at the Soyuzmultfilm studio. This animated comedy is based on Russian folk tales.

Above: A shot from 'The Heron and The Crane' short made at Soyuzmultfilm studio in 1974 and directed by Yuri Norshtein, based on a Russian folk tale about the unsuccessful attempts at matchmaking between the main characters.

Japanese director and animator Hayao Miyazaki mentioned Norshtein as 'a great artist,' and called 'Hedgehog in the Fog' one of his favorite animated films.
Above: A shot from 'Hedgehog in the Fog.'

Norshtein is greatly respected by both mainstream and independent animation artists and critics around the world, especially in Japan.
Above: Sketches made by Norshtein for the 'Tale of Tales' cartoon, at the 'Big Eyes of War' exhibition.

In 2005 Norshtein released a book titled 'Snow on the Grass.'
Above: Yuri Norshtein signs his books at his studio.

Norshtein's 'Tale of Tales' was voted the greatest animated film of all time by international jury at the Los Angeles Olympic Arts Festival in 1984.
Above: Man visiting the 'Big Eyes of War' exhibition by Yuri Norshtein.

In 2003 Norshtein's 'Hedgehog in the Fog' (1975) and 'Tale of Tales' (1979) won first and second places at All-Time animation best in Japan and Worldwide. In 2004 Norshtein was awarded the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun.
Above: Yuri Norshtein at the opening ceremony of the 'Shvartsman Who Drew Cheburashka' exhibition.

Norshtein is well known for his perfectionism that has earned him the monicker Golden Snail.
Above: Animation artist and director Yuri Norshtein during a public lecture at RIA Novosti.

In 1983 Norshtein started working on a feature-length adaptation of Gogol's 'Overcoat'.
Above: Yuri Norshtein gives a public lecture at RIA Novosti.