#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. To tell the truth, the word ‘business’ had not yet entered into use: entrepreneurs were called cooperators, sometimes, speculators or they called it individual labor activity.
The first timid sprouts of capitalism also appeared in Norilsk at that time: private cafes, video salons, taxis.
In the summer of 1988, an unusual attraction was installed on Metallurgov square: a decommissioned Mi-8 helicopter. Some businessmen took a decommissioned bright orange helicopter from Valyok airport. It was reequipped by arranging a video salon with cartoons for little Norilsk residents inside. But that was only part of the idea. Further, the entrepreneurs wanted to arrange a carousel for 30 seats on the basis of the same Mi-8. But, apparently, there were not enough opportunities for that. In any case, the attraction, especially the excursion to the cockpit, had a great success that year with all children and adolescents. There were also other similar cases of doing business in those years. For example, such a service as renting a video recorder and cassettes for a day cost from 25 to 40 rubles. But it was easier to get films at home: by the end of 1988, more than ten cable TV co-ops had sprung up.
In the last issue of the History spot photo project, we talked about when the largest number of residential buildings were built in Norilsk.
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Text: Svetlana Samohina, Photo: Nornickel Polar Division archive
