#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. The finalists of Russia’s first prize dedicated to the Arctic development were awarded in Salehard. Olga Alexandrova from Norilsk adequately represented our region, becoming a candidate in two categories and a winner in one of them. Her work Confrontation Between Foxes in Taimyr was recognized as the best photo project.
The Guardians of the North award was established by the branch of the Russian Geographical Society in Yamal, the regional government and the Gydansky national park.
Norilsk resident Olga Alexandrova, an expert on the Norilsk tundra, a master photographer, was declared the winner in one of the prestigious nominations. Her photo story reveals the incredible relationship between red foxes and arctic foxes; Olga with great love explores the animals’ habits, characters, and survival conditions.
The competition started this spring and brought together travelers, journalists, bloggers, environmentalists, entrepreneurs and researchers. The organizers received more than 130 applications from 14 regions of Russia.
The finalists and winners were determined by an expert council, which included the honorary polar explorer of Russia and the president of the Arctica expedition center Vladimir Chukov, yachtsman Nikolay Litau, TV presenter Anastasia Chernobrovina, scientists and public figures.
“I now have a very large commemorative figurine, carved from mammoth ivory and exotic trees according to individual sketches especially for the award. It was created by Kirill Nikiforov, honored cultural worker of Yamal from Noyabrsk”, Olga Alexandrova told our editorial team.
Olga Alexandrova
The master sculpted the figurines for several years – he ordered material from different countries, and looked for a specifical tusk with a beautiful design. It was a real scientific work, a masterpiece.
It is known that the winners, in addition to figurines made of mammoth tusk, elk antlers, amaranth, walnut and elm, received prizes in the amount of 100 thousand rubles. For his contribution to the development and preservation of the northern territories, the award in the Man in the Arctic category was presented to Artur Chilingarov, president of the Polar Explorers’ Association, first vice-president of the Russian Geographical Society, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Previously, the Norilsk Development Agency and Taimyr Nature Reserves directorate supported Olga Alexandrova’s project Let’s Save the Birds of Taimyr.
Follow us on Telegram, VKontakte.
Text: Marina Horoshevskaya, Photo: Olga Alexandrova
