Fifth Nationwide High School Historical Writing Competition: A Person in History. Russia, XX Century

Organized by the Memorial International Society, the Fifth Nationwide High School Historical Writing Competition: A Person in History. Russia, XX Century was summarized in Moscow on May 6. The competition involved 2,417 young researchers from a number of regions across the country.

It might seem historical writing is not difficult: to some extent, all of us were once made to do that. It is indeed not difficult if one treats history formally, as a set of dates and names, a school subject that is to be forgotten right after the exam. There are presently too many people who fail to realize that history consists of individual destinies and that the lines in textbooks hide real life, while life, sooner or later, becomes a line in the textbook. Such people are many, but they are not everyone. The proof of that are the research papers that were sent in for the competition titled A Person in History. Russia, XX Century. They range in themes from the Russian-Japanese war to some developments that recently occurred in Chechnya. Another thing is important, though: the guys did not address dry facts, but real-life materials. The contestants did not only use archive documents and the periodicals. Many of them employed memoirs and diaries of eyewitnesses or family photo albums.

Everyone wrote about what was more familiar to them. Many in their papers dealt with the history of their native city, town or village, their family. Meanwhile, this history often proved to be tragic. The guys sent in works about rebellions against collectivization, about the Civil and Great Patriotic wars, Stalin labor camps and the life of the GULAG, about repressions against the nobles and the clergy. It may seem at first sight that all these themes are too gloomy and too serious to interest high school students. Perhaps, many would say they write such papers because it is not only allowed, but even fashionable presently. But such people would be wrong. Because there is but a few people in this country whose relatives avoided repressions under Stalin or whose fathers and grandfathers did not fight on Great Patriotic fronts. It's just that people are presently beginning to forget about it, whereas they mustn't.

The best works of the contestants were marked with awards. Nikolai Antipin from Chelyabinsk with his work "South Urals People in the Years of the Russian-Japanese War," Semion Bogatyriov from Kirov with "Myths and Reality of the Epoch in the Names of Vyatka Collective Farms," and a group of authors, high school students from Ukhta, won the contest. The latter, Valeria Vetoshkina, Anastasia Ishimova and Maksim Svarnik, conducted a research of the life of one of the "islets" of the GULAG. Their work is titled "From the History of the Yarega Oil Fields, 1936-55." Some other participants received second- and third-degree awards. The teachers without whose help even the most talented children would have had troubles writing their papers also received awards. Jury prizes for the third, fourth and fifth competitions were awarded to Oleg Gurev from Vladimir, Vera Korablina from Penza and Marina Salmina from Chelyabinsk.

A special prize from Caucasian Knot's editorial office was awarded to Maksim Isaev, Khava Gaitukieva, Elina Batieva, Turpal Yusupov and Zelimkhan Irbagiev - contestants from Chechnya and Ingushetia. By the way, a total of one hundred and fifty papers have been sent in for the competition from Chechnya this year. This figure says much in itself, as fewer than ten papers were received from that region last year.

In light of present-day problems in the Caucasus, the papers of contestants from Chechnya and Ingushetia are especially urgent: history is intertwined with modernity in them. Thus, Maksim Isaev from Grozny in his paper titled "My Years" tells about the story of a Chechen family that went through the deportation under Stalin in 1944. Maksim also wrote about life in Grozny during the first and second Chechen wars. In his work, he also mentions Victor Popkov who died in Chechnya and tells how he helped people and delivered medicines and clothes to those who needed it. Maksim Isaev was invited to Moscow to receive his award. Khava Gaitukieva from Ingushetia also attended the ceremony. In her paper titled "Being Oneself," Khava tells about one fellow countryman whose father fought on the first Ukrainian front during World War II. Asiyat Murtazalieva will deliver the awards to the other laureates through the contest coordinator in Grozny.

Eminent scholars, writers and public figures came to congratulate the winners in spite that the authors of historical papers are just high school students, not venerable researchers. Speeches were delivered by: Sigurd Shmidt, a member of the Russian Academy of Education, chairman of the Local Lore Studies Union and chairman of the jury; Liudmila Ulitskaia, a writer; Liudmila Alekseeva, leader of the Moscow Helsinki Group; Victor Shenderovich, a writer and publicist; Liudmila Gromova from the Moscow Commission for the Restoration of the Rights of Victims of Political Repressions; Vladimir Kozlov, a jury member and head of a department of regional history and local lore studies; Vladimir Lukin, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation; Alexander Yakovlev, chairman of the Presidential Commission for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Political Repressions; Tatiana Berk, a poetess; and Irina Shcherbakova, chair of the organizational committee of the competition. The competition was conducted with the assistance of the Open Russia regional public organization (Russia), the Ford Foundation (US) and the Heinrich Boell Foundation (or Heinrich-Boell-Stiftung, Germany).

That a school competition has received such wide response may be surprising only at first sight. The papers sent in may be slightly naive, but they are sincere and honest and they contain living memory of the past. Liudmila Ulitskaia said about it very well in her speech: "A huge mass of people in this country do not want to remember their history. I am glad we have young people who have taken a step to realize the past of their nation. Having once touched the past, they will not be able to cease to remember it."

In light of this, it can be but gratifying that thousands of papers are sent in for the competition every year. A total of 11,500 works have been collected over the five years since the contest was set up, and about 40,000 people have taken part in creating them in some or other way. Over 250 authors from across this country have been invited to Moscow to receive awards. Students' works are stored at Memorial making up a unique archive. The best studies submitted for the competition are published. They are not only read in this country though, but also abroad. The competition is a part of the international network Eurostory, which enables its winners to take part in an international summer school organized by the Koerber foundation (or Koerber-Stiftung) in Berlin, Germany.

All this gives reasons for optimism: interest in history is not vanishing. Moreover, new and new opportunities become open to those who would like to achieve something in this area. As Alexander Yakovlev said while congratulating the winners in the competition, every regime will write a history of its own, but they will write the truth. What remains to us is to be glad that a new generation of historians is coming in Russia.

From an interview with the winners in the competition

Maksim Isaev:

Caucasian Knot: Why did you decide to write your paper?

Maksim Isaev: I just wanted what is going on in Chechnya to be known worldwide. I told about those developments that took place where we live and those I saw myself. That is why I wrote about Victor Popkov who was killed by gangsters.

Caucasian Knot: How do you think history should be taught at school for people to realize how important it is?

Maksim Isaev: I believe not only what happened in the XVIII and XIX centuries should be discussed. Present-day and recent developments should be talked about more, too. For example, we have a wonderful history teacher. He does not only know his subject well, but he also can teach it very well.

Caucasian Knot: Are you going to be a historian?

Maksim Isaev: Well, no. So far I am in the ninth grade. When I finish school I am going to study programming. I want to come to Moscow, because there are almost no institutes in our city, and it is impossible to study at those left. Of course, very many in our city would like to enter an institute in Moscow. However, more often it is impossible to enter without money. After all, there is not only entering, but living, too. But I hope I will manage it.

Khava Gaitukieva:

Khava Gaitukieva: I learnt about this competition in our school. I also learnt about the Memorial Society that time and decided to write my paper. By the way, I sent the paper to other societies, too, for example to Fatherland and I took part in all historical competitions conducted in Ingushetia. Here I've met a lot of eminent and interesting people, seen Moscow and overall I've learnt much more than I knew before.

Caucasian Knot: What are you going to do in the future?

Khava Gaitukieva: I would like to take another historical theme, a no less interesting one, and write another paper for Memorial. I would also like to enter a department of law and become a notary. Of course, if I know history, both national and international, this will help me enter. By the way, I have currently already begun to prepare to enter, but I would like not to say anything about it yet, because I am afraid to put the evil eye.

Caucasian Knot: And would you like to take up history?

Khava Gaitukieva: Well, I would, actually, but I would still like to be a notary. It's somehow closer to me.

May 7, 2004

Addendum:

A list of participants in the Fifth Nationwide High School Historical Writing Competition: A Person in History. Russia, XX Century

Chechnya:

1. Islam Magomedovich Abdulaev, From the Life-story of My Grandfather A.A. Abdulaev
2. Natalia Abuevna Abdulaeva, Man and War
3. Islam Abiev, The Caucasus Legend
4. Alina Adaeva, Man and War
5. Larissa Aiubova, History for My Children
6. Leila Akhaeva, First Time into the Last Grade
7. S.A. Akhiadov, 'Terrible Age, Terrible Hearts'
8. V.A. Akhmadov, The History of Political Repressions and Resistance to Non-freedom in the USSR
9. Petimat Akhmatova, Man and War
10. Lolita Aleroeva, Religion and Its Role in Society
11. Ibrahim Musaevich Aliev, Man and War
12. S.-M. Aliev, Personality and Society
13. Makka Alieva, The Story of My Family
14. Mariam Alieva, A Person in History
15. Tamila Magomedovna Alieva, Man and War
16. Lidia Alishagina, A Person in History
17. Zalina Amirkhanova, A Human Destiny in the Russian History
18. [Ama] Anzorova, 'And I Will Say in Conclusion'
19. Aza Arkhieva, A Person in History
20. Khava Arsanukaeva, A Person and Their 'Small Motherland'
21. Adlan Arsemikov, Man and War
22. Khava Asabaeva, Man and War
23. Razita Aslakhanova, A Person and Their 'Small Motherland'
24. Khadizhat Aspieva, Man and War
25. Zalina Astamirova, Man and War
26. Akhmed Atsaev, A Person in History
27. Movsar Bachaev, The Story of One Chechen Family
28. Guzel Baibekova, Echo of War
29. Murad Baisurkaev, Man and War
30. Seda Baitieva, A Person and Their 'Small Motherland'
31. Lipa Bakhaeva, A Person in History
32. K. Bamatgerieva, The Life and Work of T.E. Eldarkhanov
33. Arsen Barakov, Echoes of War
34. Khazbulat Barzaev, A Human Destiny in the Russian History
35. Liana Baskhanova, Man and War
36. Asmart Baudinovna Batagieva, Man and War
37. Assia Batagova, Man and War
38. Zhanna Abubakarovna Batalova, A Human Destiny
39. Elina Batieva, Chechnya's Yesenin
40. Arthur Bekmurzaev, A Person in History (after A.I. Solzhenitsyn)
41. Zharadat Bikaeva, A Person in History
42. Saninat Abutalievna Chakueva, War and Man
43. Lolita Chechieva, Family Story
44. Eldar Ruslanovich Chergizbiev, The Story of One Destiny
45. Louise Chukaeva, A Person in History
46. Kamila Dabueva, A Person in History. Russia, XX Century. Family Story
47. Kamila Dabueva, A Person in History. Russia, XX Century. A Person and Their 'Small Motherland'
48. Akhiad Dadaev, A Person and Their 'Small Motherland'
49. Madina Dadaeva
50. Elina Dakaeva, What is Family?
51. Kheda Dashaeva, A Person in History
52. Amina Denieva, A Person in History [Munaev Nukman]
53. Zharadat Dokhzhukaeva, A Person in History
54. Madina Dubaeva, Man and War
55. Zelimkhan Abdul-Vakhitovich Durdiev, A Human Destiny in the Russian History
56. Dushaeva, A Person in History
57. Aizan Dzukhaeva, Family Story
58. Aiuba Ebisheva, A Human Destiny
59. Rizvan Ediev, A Human Destiny
60. Lida Edieva, A Human Destiny
61. Adam Eldarov, A Person in History
62. Esita Elderkhanova, A Person in History
63. Rakhim Khuseinovich Elmurzaev, Man and War
64. Petimat Elmurzaeva, My 'Small Motherland'
65. Madina Gurazhova, A Person in History
66. Louise Ibragimova, A Different Religion
67. M. Ibragimova, Man and War
68. Zurab Idalov, The History of a Village
69. Markha Ikramova, A Human Destiny
70. Zelimkhan Irbagiev, The Destinies of Vainakh Women Deported from the Chechen-Ingush ASSR in 1944
71. F. Iriskhanova, Autumn in Chechnya
72. Maksim Isaev, My Years
73. Aza Isaeva, A Person in History
74. Khava Izripova, A Person and Their 'Small Motherland'
75. Enisa Jabaeva, Man and War
76. Madina Jabrailova, The Destiny of the Chechen People in the Russian History in the XX Century
77. Louise Jaubatyrova, A Person in History
78. Zaurbek Kaimov, A Person in History, XX Century
79. Sabina Kashaeva, A Person in History
80. Regina Kerimova, A Person in History
81. Angela Khamzaeva, Personality and Society
82. Kheda Khamzatkhanova, A Person in History
83. Alina Ovukhatovna Khanchukaeva, A Person and Their 'Small Motherland'
84. Janette Khasbulatova, A Person and the State System
85. Yakhi Isaevna Khasbulatova, My 'Small Motherland'
86. Marhi Khazbulatova, Man and War
87. Fatima Khizrieva
88. Louise Movsarovna Kindarova, A Person and Their 'Small Motherland'
89. Zalina Kindarova, A Person of Great Soul
90. Makka Kulaeva, A Person in History
91. Khava Kurazova, Man and War
92. Raina Labazanova, A Person in History
93. Mareta Lorsanova, First Time into the Last Grade
94. Malika Magodmadova, Some Pages from the Story of My Family
95. Sulim Magomadov, My 'Small Motherland'
96. Lizina Magomadova, Man and War
97. Rosa Magomadova, The Story of My Family
98. Aset Magomedova, A Person in History
99. Rizvan Makhaev, A Person in War. In Memory of Khalik Aliev
100. Aset Makhaeva, A Person in History
101. Milana Ruslanovna Maltsagova, Heart Pain in My Family
102. Maret Markhieva, Family Story
103. Raminat Musaevna Masalgova, A Person in History
104. Aishat Mazhidova, A Person in History
105. Milana Mezhidova, Insiders - Outsiders
106. Zelikhan Mezhidova, A Person in History. Russia, XX Century
107. Adama Murtazalieva, Man and War (Family Story)
108. Rumisa Murtazalieva, Man and War
109. Anzor Murtazov, [A Person in History]
110. Said-Rakhman Adamovich Musaev, A Person and Their 'Small Motherland'
111. Aset Musaeva, Man and War
112. Daniil Movladievich Muzaev, A Person and Their 'Small Motherland'
113. Aminat Nakhaeva, A Human Destiny in the Russian History of the XX Century
114. Tamila Naurzukaeva, Man and War
115. Elina Ocherkhajieva, A Person in History
116. Anna Palchak, Family Story
117. Mairbeka Reshidova, A Person in History (The Life and Work of A.D. Sakharov)
118. Maksim Rogov, My Family's Contribution to the Manuscript of the Great Patriotic War
119. Aza Abazovna Sabrailova, Family Story
120. Liana Sagaipova, A Person in History
121. Isira Saidova, Personality and Society
122. Khava Saieva, The Epoch of Akhmat Abdul-Khamidovich Kadyrov in the History of Chechnya
123. Aminat Ovtaevna Salamova, Family Story (Salam-mullah, the Great Religious Figure in the First Half of the XX Century)
124. Madina Amiranovna Salangirieva, A Person in the History of Russia in the XX Century
125. Zalina Sambieva, A Family Destiny in the History of Russia in the XX Century
126. Diana Sangarieva, A Person and Their 'Small Motherland'
127. Zarina Sangarieva, Family Story
128. Khadishat Sharieva, A Human Destiny in the Russian History
129. Dagmara Shavhanova, A Person in History
130. Imran Hamitovich Sugaipov, Man and War
131. I. Sulemenova, Man and War
132. Zarita Taipova, A Person in History
133. Jabrail Taisumov, A Person in History
134. Rumisa Taisumova, A Person in History
135. M. Takaeva, A Human Destiny in the Russian History in the XX Century (Family Story)
136. Zaira Tagirovna Tasukhanova, Man and War
137. Muslima Tataeva, A Person in History
138. Khava Tavlakhanova, My City
139. Mata Tuburova, Man and War
140. Magomed Umarov, The Story of My Family
141. Zarina Umarova, The Story of My Family
142. Louise Umatgerieva, A Human Destiny
143. Raisa Umkhaeva, My 'Small Motherland'
144. Yelizaveta Adlanovna Usmanova, A Human Destiny in the Russian History
145. Elza Utsaeva, Chechnya Was Burning in the Flames of War
146. Zalimkhan Vagapov, Living Memory
147. Malika Vakhaeva, A Person in History
148. Zalina Visamovna Vakhaeva, Man and War
149. Ibrahim Verigov, Man and War
150. Turpal Ruslanovich Yusupov, A Chechen Family: The Tie of Times and Generations
151. Karina Yusupova, The Story of Azimat's Destiny
152. Aza Zaitova, Family Story
153. Z.S. Zubairaev, A Human Destiny in the History of Russia in the XX Century
154. Milana Zukairaeva, Family Story

Ingushetia:

1. Ramina Magomedovna Albagachieva, It Is Now Rich in Years, Too, a Laborer City, a Soldier City [Of the City of Malgobek]
2. Ramina Magomedovna Albagachieva, 'What Do We Remember about Him?!' The Story of One Destiny
3. Zalina Yakubovna Bekbuzarova, The Valiant Son of his Nation
   Marina I. Bogatyriova, My Grandmother
4. Adam Magomedovich Chapanov, Isakkh-mullah Chapanov from Verkhnie Achaluki
5. Khadiza Mustapaevna Dolova, A Human Destiny
6. Madina Issaevna Esmurzieva, 'A White Rider Raced in the Fog and Faded'
7. Yakhia Magomedovich Fargiev, Abat's Father
8. Khava Ibragimovna Gaitukieva, Being Oneself
9. Louise A. Gatieva, The Year 1992 and My Family
10. Islam Zelimkhanovich Geliskhanov, The Story of My Family
11. Islam Zelimkhanovich Geliskhanov, The Heroic Destiny of My Great-grandmother L.E. Barakhoeva
12. Aina Islamovna Jankhoeva, Not Every Falcon Has Returned
13. Salman Salikhovich Kartoev, 'Where Are You Now, My Friends and Fellow Fighters?'
14. Indira Ruslanovna Kartoeva, The Thorny Path of My People
15. Madina Kartoeva, Musaip Aliroev, The Legendary Resident of Psedakh
16. Liusikhan M. Kostoeva, Family Story
17. Zulfia Bembulatovna Kuzgova, Youth Policy in Ingushetia
18. Local Lore Research and History Group, Children and Adolescents Tourism Center (Nazran, Ingushetia), Memory Is Overcoming Time
19. Assia Sultanovna Lologaeva, My Grandfather Is a Hero
20. Tamara Musaevna Malsagova, Two Destinies, Two Epochs
21. Romina Magometovna Saltygova, The Destiny of a Citizen - The History of a Country
22. Khadishat Umarovna Sautieva, My Ancestors in the Service of Their Fatherland and Nation
23. Bashir Kizirovich Tsolloev, My Genealogy
24. Akhmed Khizirovich Tsoloev, Chakh Akhriev, The First Ingush Ethnographer
25. Aza Vishaevna Tsoroeva, Pages from the Life of an Intelligence Officer
26. Zalina Akhmetovna Uzieva, D.D. Malsagov - Researcher, Writer, Teacher
27. Leila Isaevna Yandieva, Faith, Hope, Love of Lydia Yandieva