News

News

The Twentieth Anniversary of “Rodnik Brotherhood”

The XX International rally of the children and youth environmental movement “Sholokhov Source” (rodnik) dedicated to the XX anniversary of this unique fraternity took place on April 23 – 25, 2019, in Stanitsa Vyoshenskaya and gathered the bests teams of young environmentalists from different federal districts of the Russian Federation and from Kazakhstan, Abkhazia, the Lugansk People’s Republic.

The theme of the rally ”Sholokhov Source”: 20 Years of Environmental Literary Education” enabled the members to recall the history of the movement, to sum up the results and to outline the prospects. Sholokhov country befriended several generations of young environmentalists from different parts of Russia and foreign countries. The first members of the movement are over 30 now. They have entered into different professions but still remember their “rodnik fraternity” with great warmth, and now their children call themselves “rodnik people”.

During the 20 years the rallies were joined by 3724 young environmentalists from 66 subjects of Russia and near foreign countries. Some years the “Sholokhov Artek” joined over 200 children. The big friendly team of young environmentalists created their Republic, which has its history, traditions, a flag, an emblem and an anthem. Within the existence of “Sholokhov Source” there appeared dialectisms: “Sholokhov people”, “rodnik people”, “rodnik dynasties” (calling brothers and sisters taking part in the movement in different years or those presenting in each team).

The members of the jubilee rally were champions of the annual rallies and “great teams” which contributed greatly in the formation and development of the children and youth environmental movement, and young environmentalists from the schools of the Sholokhov District the Rostov Region.

Traditionally the rally program was interesting and rich (over 10 events). This Sholokhov Universiade included the events of defending research papers, environmental and literary contests and quizzes, expeditions by environmental routes.

On the first day the teams met at the party of dating and memories: they had many things to discuss and share with each other. Introducing themselves the children used the techniques of performing arts; some of them expressed the soul of their teams by a national dance, others – by a song.

The next morning the members of the rally laid flowers at the tomb of M.A.Sholokhov. Then, before the VII International Children and Youth Research Conference “Sholokhov Geography: from the Origins to the Nobel Triumph”, a rally opening ceremony took place. Its members brilliantly defended their research papers, answered the questions of the literary quiz “M.A.Sholokhov: Life and Work”.

The children passed by the routes “Lake Ostrovnoye”, “Lebyazhiy Yar”, “A Living Spring”, “Healing Powers of Nature”, successfully did the quiz and presented their creative reports about the environmental expedition. The jury praised highly the knowledge, humour and stage skills of the contestants. The second rally day ended with an evening tour around Stanitsa Vyoshenskaya.

The third, final day, began with the environmental literary paths. The members became the first tourists on the path “The World of Sholokhov Steppe” and answered the questions of the literary quiz. The environmental quest “Eco-Orienteering”, an exclusive, born by “Rodnik” competition identified the fastest, the most quick-minded and skillful contestants in using their knowledge in orienteering.

Following the good tradition formed during the twenty years the young environmentalists planted tree seedlings in the forest park.

The three days were over, and there came a moment to sum up the results and bid their farewell. At the rally closing ceremony the young environmentalists were greeted by the guests of “Sholokhov Source” – L.A.Aldokhina, a representative of the Rostov Region Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, N.A.Goncharova, Head of the Educational Department of the Sholokhov District Administration, P.I.Nikulin, Head of the Territorial Department of Forestry Development. They congratulated the rally members for their excellent results they gained during the competitions.

The best contestants were awarded the Cups of “Sholokhov Source”. All the members were awarded diplomas, thanksgiving letters and memorable gifts.

The children had made friends during the rally and felt sad parting with each other and wishing to meet again in “Sholokhov Artek” in the hospitable Sholokhov country. A rally member Maezhova Evgeniya wrote that “Sholokhov Source” is friendship, spirit of competition, desire for communication, it will never run out.

Tatyana Balak
Evgeniya Kharitonova