The Republic of Udmurtia is a vast territory - approximately the size of California and similarly stretching far north and south, The autonomous republic borders Kirov Oblast (as in Soviet politician Sergei Kirov), the Republic of Tatarstan, the Republic of Bashkortostan, Sverdlovsk Oblast (as in Russian revolutionary Yakov Sverdlov), and Perm Oblast. The regional capital is Izhevsk, which is further described in the sub article below. The biggest ethnic groups, in order, are Russians, Udmurts, Tatars, Besermyanies (a mix of Udmurt and Tatar), and Volga German. The terrain is predominantly grasslands and forests.
IZHEVSK:
A city of roughly one million inhabitants situated next to a lake known as Izhevskii prud (literally "Pond of Izhevsk"). Historically the center of the Russian firearms industry (a certain Mihail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, the creator of the famous AK-47 assault rifle lived here), it is now the economic center of the province. On the shores of the pond, the Monument to People's Friendship built during the times of the Soviet Union stands tall proclaiming the union of the Udmurt and Russian people in the new Marxist order. Further inland is the old town, where the oldest churches of the city were erected and the two national theaters of the republic hold their shows: one only showing Udmurt language productions and the other only Russian. Further to the north, there is the Kalashnikov Museum, filled with artifacts portioning to the life of the great designer and a shooting range.
IZHEVSK:
A city of roughly one million inhabitants situated next to a lake known as Izhevskii prud (literally "Pond of Izhevsk"). Historically the center of the Russian firearms industry (a certain Mihail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, the creator of the famous AK-47 assault rifle lived here), it is now the economic center of the province. On the shores of the pond, the Monument to People's Friendship built during the times of the Soviet Union stands tall proclaiming the union of the Udmurt and Russian people in the new Marxist order. Further inland is the old town, where the oldest churches of the city were erected and the two national theaters of the republic hold their shows: one only showing Udmurt language productions and the other only Russian. Further to the north, there is the Kalashnikov Museum, filled with artifacts portioning to the life of the great designer and a shooting range.
GLAZOV:
A city of one hundred thousand residents, Glazov is located in the far north of the Udmurt Republic. The town was founded by an executive order of Tsarina Yekaterina Alexeyevna Romanova II, and became the first capital of the Udmurt Republic (then the Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic) in 1921 C.E. Glazov played a key role in the production of Soviet arms in the Second World War and was the host of many manufacturing plants that were evacuated from Leningrad, Moscow, and Stalingrad. The city is most famous for its production of "Glazovskaya" vodka. Its regional capitol building (Glazov is the capital of its region within the Republic of Udmurtia) is built in the Stalinist Baroque style. Not far outside the city on a hill is the ancient settlement of Idnakar, the first location in which there is evidence of Udmurt civilization within their current realm.
VOTKINSK:
The birthplace of the renowned composer Pyotr Il'ich Chaikovskii, Votkinsk is about the size of Cambridge, Massachusetts in terms of population. It was founded on April 3rd, 1759 C.E. by an iron merchant, P. I. Shuvalov. The town lies next to Votkinskii prud (literally "Pond of Votkinsk"), cited by Chaikovskii as the inspiration for "Swan Lake". Chaikovskiai's childhood estate still stands near the municipal center, an oasis of the grandeur of the Tsarist Imperial Empire. Votkinsk is also well known for being the top tank manufacturer for the Soviet Union in World War II.
ZAV'YALOVO:
The town where participants in AFS Project Change - Heritage of Udmurtia 2015 stayed. Around twelve-thousand people reside in the suburb of Izhevsk, with a sizable percentage of the population commuting daily to the city. The center is marked by a large plaza, surrounded by a memorial to Soviet veterans of the Second World War and some small businesses. Nearby, the school and town hall are on the corners of a large park containing the works of Udmurt wood craftspeople.
A city of one hundred thousand residents, Glazov is located in the far north of the Udmurt Republic. The town was founded by an executive order of Tsarina Yekaterina Alexeyevna Romanova II, and became the first capital of the Udmurt Republic (then the Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic) in 1921 C.E. Glazov played a key role in the production of Soviet arms in the Second World War and was the host of many manufacturing plants that were evacuated from Leningrad, Moscow, and Stalingrad. The city is most famous for its production of "Glazovskaya" vodka. Its regional capitol building (Glazov is the capital of its region within the Republic of Udmurtia) is built in the Stalinist Baroque style. Not far outside the city on a hill is the ancient settlement of Idnakar, the first location in which there is evidence of Udmurt civilization within their current realm.
VOTKINSK:
The birthplace of the renowned composer Pyotr Il'ich Chaikovskii, Votkinsk is about the size of Cambridge, Massachusetts in terms of population. It was founded on April 3rd, 1759 C.E. by an iron merchant, P. I. Shuvalov. The town lies next to Votkinskii prud (literally "Pond of Votkinsk"), cited by Chaikovskii as the inspiration for "Swan Lake". Chaikovskiai's childhood estate still stands near the municipal center, an oasis of the grandeur of the Tsarist Imperial Empire. Votkinsk is also well known for being the top tank manufacturer for the Soviet Union in World War II.
ZAV'YALOVO:
The town where participants in AFS Project Change - Heritage of Udmurtia 2015 stayed. Around twelve-thousand people reside in the suburb of Izhevsk, with a sizable percentage of the population commuting daily to the city. The center is marked by a large plaza, surrounded by a memorial to Soviet veterans of the Second World War and some small businesses. Nearby, the school and town hall are on the corners of a large park containing the works of Udmurt wood craftspeople.
OZH-PURGA:
A small, homogeneously Udmurt village an hour from Izhevsk. Most of the families farm and live off the land. Little stars mark the homes of World War II veterans, and a small preschool is the only educational facility within the village. Participants in Project Change enjoyed a traditional Udmurt meal and trying their hands at milking the cows in Ozh-Purga.
-Samuel H.