Dmitry V. Polikanov celebrates his 50th birthday

“The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds…” So wrote the Bard. There are many such people in the world. But it’s extremely hard to find those who do have the music. Dima, without any doubt, you are one of them. You have this harmony in your soul or, at least, you strive for it with relentless passion. “A well-rounded personality”. This phrase might sound like a worn-out cliché. But strip away the cliché, and what remains is a magnificent, vital, and exceedingly rare quality of a human being. You are a traveler and a civil servant, an actor and an Africanist, a defender of the vulnerable (NGOs) and a (co)-author of a thought-provoking podcast, a political analyst and a patron of the arts. Do not attach any sacred meaning to the numerals ‘5’ and ‘0.’ Numbers are always a bit deceptive. They tempt us into self-deception. But you stay honest with yourself. In fact, this is what true courage is. May you always remain so. Fate has willed it that your story and the story of PIR Center are intertwined – for most of your life and for most of PIR Center’s existence. You joined PIR Center very young, straight from the halls of MGIMO. And right away, in a quiet voice that carried far, you made yourself heard, while simultaneously mastering nuclear issues and publishing a Russian-Swahili dictionary. You were at the origins of the large-scale international nonproliferation conferences that we, along with you and other PIR members, convened in Moscow with so much energy and spirit. Later, you tackled a diverse range of issues – from combating AIDS in Africa to regulating small arms – while also managing the international edition of our Security Index with a prestigious, world-class publisher. You presided over the Trialogue Club. You were Vice President of PIR Center, a member of its supreme body – PIR Center Executive Board. And through it all, one thing remained constant: you remained a man to be relied upon. Intelligent, trustworthy, and free-spirited. Thank you for being you. Yours, Volodya Orlov.

Dear Dmitry Valeryevich, let me wholeheartedly congratulate you on your anniversary! Your professional work, based on a profound understanding of international processes and years of expertise in African studies, has a significant impact on the development of dialogue and mutual understanding between Russia and African states. For the Institute for African Studies of the RAS, it is especially meaningful that your professional journey began right here. I fondly recall our joint venture into then-emerging topics at the dawn of the 21st century – our work on the book “The Internet and Africa: Parallel Realities”, which explored issues on the very frontier of academic research. May you always be in good health! I wish you good luck in all your endeavors and in fulfilling your initiatives for the benefit of international humanitarian cooperation!

Dear Dima, happy anniversary! It is hard to believe that the same energetic Africanist who once just “dropped in” to PIR Center just for a bit is already 50. You still move at such a pace that most young people would have a hard time keeping up. Over the years, you have managed to be an expert, a blogger, an organizer, a public diplomat, a top official, and an actor – all without losing the most important traits: self-irony, down-to-earth attitude toward others, and the ability to laugh, including at yourself. For PIR Center members, you have long been more than just an Executive Board Member. You are part of our family lore: “Once young Polikanov showed up – and off we went”. You have helped nurture an entire generation of experts who still remember your lectures, foresight sessions, and project workshops as the perfect blend of practical common sense, political intuition, and “Polikanov humor” that distinguishes you most vividly. Some of them still live by the rule: “If you don’t know what to do – remember what Dima said at the PIR Center School”. Your humanitarian and public work is also worth mentioning, from foundations helping people in the most challenging circumstances to serving on public councils and boards where you somehow manage to remain yourself, not just a seat filler. In a world that loves loud words and grand declarations, you have chosen a less flashy but far more honest path – to make things better, without any pomp but with that well-known signature: “Well, someone’s got to do it”. On your 50th, we won’t wish for you to “never change”. On the contrary, we wish you to keep changing as swiftly as your job titles and business cards, while simultaneously remaining the same Dima with whom one can have a serious talk about international affairs and humanitarian issues, joke on the edge of appropriateness, and debate “who has a more optimistic view today”. May you have enough energy, health, and desire for new projects, travelling, books, and sometimes for doing nothing and just enjoying your life. We truly value that even despite all your positions and schedules, you remain “one of us”- that same Dima Polikanov from the big PIR family, someone you can turn to for advice, support, or simply a good story. Remain the leader who drives systemic changes while keeping a personal connection with every individual whose life they touch. Happy anniversary! We send you our hugs! We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to many more shared stories ahead – both serious and amusing!

Congratulations to a witty, intelligent, and creative professional on your anniversary! I wish you an ever-growing influence, new opportunities to share your expertise, and a constant wellspring of enthusiasm that fuels both your professional endeavors and your everyday life!

Dear Dima, happy anniversary, though one can hardly believe the numbers that define it! You are already wise and experienced, but more importantly, you are still full of youthful spirit, even despite all your substantial bureaucratic achievements. You always remain yourself and constantly motivate everyone around you. You have every reason to be proud, as your work has been immensely beneficial to others. As one of the first to graduate from the formative PIR “school of thought”, you have kept on establishing and mentoring within several new schools of your own. Your nonlinear and open-ended way of thinking presents a challenge to colleagues while also opening a gateway to new opportunities. The way your personal responsiveness has grown into an institutional strength is both admirable and motivational. Your creative forays constantly surprise and redefine what is possible. I am proud to belong to the same professional community as you. We have been part of one team for many years now. Thanks to your efforts, we have an excellent team here in Bishkek that strives to implement every brilliant idea and project that the even more remarkable team in Moscow dreams up and launches. Any honest endeavor will inevitably raise questions, but firstly, we have the answers, and secondly, it’s all done with honesty. To your health, happiness, and continued achievements! Keep on going!