Ravil Bikbaev

Ravil Tukhvatovich Bikbayev (Russian: Равиль Тухватович Бикбаев; Bashkir: Рауил Төхфәт улы Бикбаев, romanized: Rawil Töxfät ulı Bikbaev; 12 December 1938 – 23 April 2019) was a Bashkir poet and writer, literary scholar, and public figure. He was honored as the People's Poet of Bashkortostan in 1993 and held a doctorate in philological sciences since 1996. Bikbaev was also recognized as a Distinguished Scientist of the Republic of Bashkortostan (1992), a Distinguished Cultural Worker of the Chuvash Republic, and an Honorary Citizen of Ufa (since 1999). In 2009, he became a Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Additionally, he was a professor and served as a deputy and chairman of the Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs in The State Assembly – Kurultai of the Republic of Bashkortostan (2008–2013). Bikbaev was also one of the co-authors of the National Anthem of the Republic of Bashkortostan.