#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. The project Heroes of Our Legends appeared thanks to the specialists of the Dudinka centralized library system. They developed the project of an active physical recreation zone – a sports-themed playground with outdoor exercise machines. The new sports ground will become a place of rest in the very center of the village not only for schoolchildren but also for all Potapovo residents.
“This is the third sports ground in Taimyr villages – the previous two opened in Volochanka and Ust-Avam. The very idea of creating a sports ground in Potapovo appeared thanks to the village residents – young people are leaving the place, we would like to stop them, to provide comfort in the village, interest in studying and working here, maybe someone would even want to come back here. The playground is not only for children, but also for the entire village, and a variety of cultural events can be held here. That is why we helped the Potapovo residents write a project to apply for a grant from Nornickel, says one of the project authors, chief librarian of the Dudinka centralized library system Tatyana Kirillova.
The sports ground in Potapovo has been built over two years, as the geographical location of the village and the short northern summer contributed to the implementation of the project. First, the area of the future playground was equipped in the village, then the equipment was brought in: exercise machines, fences, materials. As soon as the snow melted this year, the villagers began installation. By the way, the list of exercise machines somewhat echoes the lifestyle of local fishermen – the rowing and stepping machines should become popular among fishermen and hunters as an opportunity to practice rowing in summer and skiing in winter.
The Potapovo village club has applied for a grant for the project Ussu (from the Enets language means Camp). The idea was to create an ethnic site – an adapted version of the Enets traditional way of life place. Here you can hold national holidays, rituals, games, organize leisure taking into account the national specifics. The ethnic site Ussu should become a place for in-depth immersion of the village residents in the unique culture of the Enets.
“Our ethnic place project has also been in preparation for two years, all this time building materials were brought to Potapovo, national clothes were sewn, tent equipment was sewn, carvers made wooden figures for the ‘camp’. Potapovo residents took the most active part in the ethnic site creation, brought old things from home: old kerosene lamps, children’s cradles, skins and other items of historical and national value. The village youth helped to decorate the site and put up tents”, says Ekaterina Stolypina, the Potapovo village club head.
In the future, a variety of village holidays are planned to be held at the new ethnic site: Fisherman’s Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day and other events for children and adults. The villagers say that from now on, all holidays can be held not on the square in front of the club, but in a specialized and very cozy place, which is also built on a large platform.
The Nornickel company continues to actively support public initiatives to preserve the culture, life and traditions of the indigenous peoples of Taimyr. With the help of the project competition World of Taimyr, conditions are created for the traditional residence territory sustainable development. In the village of Potapovo, a grand opening of two public spaces at once took place, created with the financial support of Nornickel. Both locations became winners of the company’s World of New Opportunities corporate program’s grant competition World of Taimyr.
“The activity and will to win of the Potapovo residents make a strong impression: out of 18 projects – the World of Taimyr competition winners, four were submitted by Potapovo residents. They took almost half of the entire financial fund of the winners. With such applications and results, we can confidently talk about the great future of the village. I wish the villagers to continue this way – to participate in competitions, to create comfort around themselves. In this matter, it is important to understand that money alone will not create anything and everything is done by people who deserve great gratitude”, said Natalya Dunaeva, the Nornickel’s Polar Division’s Charitable Activities and Corporate Community Development department head.
Earlier, Potapovo celebrated two holidays at once – Fisherman’s Day and Village Day.
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Text: Denis Kozhevnikov, Photo: author
