Contest Winners Unveiled: "Maternal Love's Unyielding Strength"

Fresh Take:

History Essay Contest Stirs Emotions and Knowledge in Biysk

In the heart of Siberia lies the city of Biysk, where an intriguing writing competition was recently held. Organized by the Council of Mothers of Soldiers of the SVO, in partnership with the city's education department and the "Biskiy Rabochiy" newspaper, the contest stirred emotions and fostered a deeper understanding of the brave mothers behind the heroes.

The invitation sparked both young and old to share their thoughts on the significant figures who waited anxiously for the return of their children from battlefields.

Nadezhda Markova, the head of the Council, shared her thoughts, "We weren't prepared for the breadth of participation, so we split the contest into categories – young and adult authors. The theme of the mother of a defender of the Fatherland is one that resonates deeply, causing tears, and instills a sense of patriotism."

The essays ranged from the wives waiting for their husbands during the Great Patriotic War to those who watched as their sons left for Afghanistan and Chechnya, or embarked on the special military operation in Ukraine.

Evgeny Nestorov, a retired military pilot and veteran of Afghan combat, served as a judge. He had firsthand experience understanding the apprehension mothers feel when their sons put their lives on the line, sharing, "My mother worried about me when I started flying. So, I didn't want to add to her worries. When I was sent to Afghanistan, I didn't tell her. I only informed her when I returned."

The judging process was strict, with well-crafted works sometimes losing points if the focus strayed from the heroine to other family members. Historical accuracy was paramount, with jury member Evgeny Nestorov insisting, "It's disconcerting when the history is incorrect. It's best to start with textbooks, to revisit the time periods one is writing about, to ensure accuracy."

While the competition was demanding, Evgeny Alekseevich stressed the importance of such events. He shared, "Competitions like these serve as great motivators for learning more about one's country. For instance, studying the Great Patriotic War is more accessible when you trace the footsteps of your ancestors."

However, as Evgeny pointed out, many students today lack knowledge of their family history. He lamented, "When interacting with students, I realize few of them know their family's history. I ask them to raise their hands if their great-grandfathers fought in the war. No hands go up... Yet, almost every family had soldiers, they just didn't share the stories."

Svetlana Bartysheva, the director of the Biysk Regional Museum of Local Lore, agreed. She urges the young to visit their grandparents and listen to their stories, as they still hold a treasure trove of living history that cannot be found in archives alone.

The winners of the student category are as follows:

1st place - Dar'ya Kazantseva (School No. 25)
2nd place - Sofiya Shilova (School No. 40)
3rd place - Anna Kurțeva (School No. 12)

Among the adult participants, the rankings are as follows:

1st place - Viktor Viken'tyevich Zonov
2nd place - the collective of teachers of the Orthodox Gymnasium named after the righteous Ioann of Kronstadt
3rd place - Galina Borisovna Yevreinova

The winning essays will be published in "Biysk Rabochiy".

Although specific information about this contest couldn't be found in current local sources, past events in Biysk and other areas of Russia often focus on themes of local history, World War II commemorations, or regional cultural heritage. For details about the essay contest in Biysk or similar events in the Altai Krai region, it's recommended to check official municipal websites or local educational institutions.

Galina Borisovna Yevreinova, one of the adult participants, bagged the third place in the history essay contest held in Biysk.
Evgeny Nestorov, a retired military pilot and veteran of Afghan combat, shared his personal story of not telling his mother about his deployment during the judging of the history essay contest in Chechnya.
Svetlana Bartysheva, the director of the Biysk Regional Museum of Local Lore, emphasized the importance of grandparents' stories in understanding personal history and personal growth, reminding the youth to visit and listen to their elders.
The essays submitted for the history essay contest in Biysk ranged from the experiences of mothers during the Great Patriotic War to the times their sons left for Afghanistan, Chechnya, or special military operations such as in Ukraine, focusing on the theme of motherhood and its role in education-and-self-development.