A BRIEF HISTORY

In the ancient times Udmurts lived on the territory of the contemporary Kirov region and Tatarstan. Escaping from interethnic conflicts and attempts of violent Christianization which increased after the conquest of the Kazan Khanate, the Udmurts moved further to the East and North, stepping back from the banks of the largest rivers. The poetic paganism of the Udmurt people was based on the idolization of phenomena of the Nature and worshipping many Gods. Udmurts had no written language, therefore the element of improvisation played a significant role in their prayers and religious ceremonies. Articles of decorative art used for the needs of cult and in everyday life amazed with their rich colors and variety of patterns. Udmurts were very famous for weaving and artistic wood processing.

At the end of the 12^th century the first Russians settled down on the territory of Udmurtia. Many of them came from the Novgorod Lands, the fact which explains some peculiarities of the Russian pronunciation and folklore in Udmurtia. The capture of Kazan (1552) provided access to this area. It was then that the first large Russian settlements appeared in Udmurtia.

Since 1740 the authorities of the Tsarist Russia have been taking drastic measures to violently Christianize the Udmurt people. As a result the first purely Udmurt settlements were founded and the first Udmurt grammar, dictionaries, the Bible translations and national Udmurt literary works were published. The first national intellectuals - the clergy - also appeared during that time.

In 1756 the first private factory was founded in Udmurtia - the Bemyzhski copper-melting works. Factories which appeared later on were iron-making and private as well: Pudemski and Votkinski (1759), Izhevski (1760), Kambarski (1761). The biggest of them were of the Urals "town-factory" type. In 1780 the first settlements acquired the status of a city - district centers Glazov and Sarapul.

The second half of the 19^th century was marked by the rapid development of industry and culture in Udmurtia. Many private factories, workshops, banks, partnerships, gymnasiums, industrial colleges, theaters, libraries were open.

Regional enterprises displayed their products at the biggest exhibitions in Russia and all over the world. In 1899 the main railway line Perm-Cotlas crossed Udmurtia in the North promoting further economic development of the region.

The growth of the national consciousness of Udmurts started after the February 1917 revolution and supported by Bolsheviks led to the establishment of the Udmurt autonomy. The first Regional Communist Party Conference which took place on February, 27, 1921, proclaimed the Votskaya Autonomous Region. Since 1934 it has been the Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (UASSR).

Since 1990 the UASSR, in accordance with its Supreme Soviet resolution, has been called the Udmurtia Republic. In 1993 the Udmurtia Republic introduced its flag. The emblem and the anthem of Udmurtia were validated in 1994.

UDMURT ETHNOS

The Udmurts are one of the oldest Eastern-Finnish nations in the north-west woodland Urals.
In the Russian sources of the 14^th - early 19^th centuries Udmurts are mentioned under the names "ari", "arsk people", "chud otezkaya", "votyaki". These people called themselves "udmurts", "udmorts". Total number of the Udmurt people is about 750 thousand (1989) which makes them the second Eastern-Finnish nation in Russia and the fifth Finno-Ugric nation in the world. The majority of Udmurts (approx. 67%) live in Udmurtia. More than one third of the rest live in groups and are dispersed outside this area, mostly in Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Mari El, in the Perm, Ekaterinburg and Kirov regions, in Kazakhstan, Siberia and the Far East.

By their language Udmurts belong to the Finno-Ugric community of nations like Komi, Mari, Mordvanians, Estonians, Finns, Karelians, Saami, Hungarians, Khanty and Mansi. The closest linguistic relatives of Udmurts are Komi (as close as Russian and Polish languages), the most distant are Hungarians, Khanty and Mansi. Approximately 500 words originally used in the Finno-Ugric community have been preserved in the Udmurt language such as "fire", "snow", "tree", "blood", "son", "butter" etc.

The Udmurt written language was developed in the 18^th century (the first Udmurt grammar was published in 1775) on the basis of the Cyrillic alphabet.

Works of Udmurt literature were translated into many languages. The Udmurt literature and language are being studied not only in Udmurtia and Russia, but also in Hungary, Finland, Estonia, Germany, France, the USA and many other countries where a great number of outstanding experts are carrying out research projects in the field of Udmurt studies.

Anthropologists relate Udmurts to the Urals branch of the large European race which has some features of the Mongolian race. The Udmurt people are distinguished by a large number of red-haired people who (together with the Irish) are probably one of the most "gold-haired" ethnic groups in the world. Most of them are of the middle size, often have blue or gray eyes, high cheek-bones and wide face. The Udmurt people are not of an athletic build but they are very hardy.

Talking about the traits of Udmurts (such an indefinite and subjective sphere) we usually note their goodwill, hospitality, delicacy, shyness, restraint of feelings turning to secrecy, thrift to stinginess, patience to self-sacrifice, insistence to obstinacy. Many experts are delighted with the exceptional diligence and hard-working of the Udmurt people.

According to the data of linguistics, archaeology, anthropology and ethnography the origin of the Udmurts is connected with autochtonous tribes of the Vyatsko-Kamski region, representatives of the Ananian archaeological culture of the 8^th - 3^rd centuries BC. They were contemporaries and ethnocultural partners of the Scythes and Sarmats, the peoples of Central Asia and the Caucasus, as well as of some other nations which inhabited more distant areas at that period of time. Udmurts did a brisk trade even with India and Egypt.

The first illustrations of the Udmurt people and their life appeared in the Russian chronicles in the 14^th century. Udmurts paid tribute to the Volzhskaya Bulgaria, the Golden Horde and the Kazan Khanate. In the end of the 15^th century (after the conquest of Vyatka) the northern group and in the middle of the 16^th century (after the fall of Kazan) the southern group of Udmurts entered the Russian Centralized State. Since that time the historical fate of the Udmurt people has been inseparably linked with Russia. Unification of Udmurts and other peoples of the Volzhski region with the Russian State took a long historical period of time and was rather complicated.

The Udmurts as an ethnic group were formed as "the people of the woods" and the forests have had a great impact on their mentality, industry and household, their spiritual and material culture. Farming has been known here since the Bronze Age. Udmurts planted mainly rye as well as oats, barley, millet, hemp, flax and later on wheat, buckwheat, potatoes and corn. Forestlands required constant fertilizing, therefore cattle-breeding was a very important sector of agriculture.

Udmurt people spent a lot of time for domestic handicrafts and works: men processed wood, leather, wool and women were involved in sewing clothes. Those times were marked by the high development of patterned weaving and embroidery. The basic gamut comprises the three classical colors - red, black and white - with geometrical ornament. Skillful Udmurt seamstresses successfully displayed their works at exhibitions in Paris, St.Petersburg and other cities.

Udmurts were very lucky hunters trading mostly in fur-bearing animals, squirrels in particular. The Udmurt word "kondon" ("money") literally means "price of a squirrel"; squirrels skins were trade equivalents at that time. The Udmurt people also traded in fish and honey.

In contrast to the traditional Russian "bread and salt" hospitality greeting, the Udmurts would greet people with bread, honey and butter. "Pelmeni" (dumplings), originally known as hunter s preserved meals and later on as a guest dish, became well-known all over the world. "Pelnyan" literally means "ear-shaped bread".

Songs are of specific interest in the Udmurt folklore. This is a real encyclopedia of the Udmurt ethnos that reflects every event of its history and everyday life. Udmurt people are very good singers. To sing, Udmurts say, is as natural as to speak.

The Udmurt people live on the border of Europe and Asia, the Great Woods and the Great Steppe, the Turkic-Moslem and the Slavic-Christian worlds. It is an old contact zone of many different cultures. To be "in the middle" is not always easy for one can be turned into the "dust of history". But for many centuries the Udmurt people have succeeded in retaining their culture and language. Moreover, being within the limits of their historical lands and geographically placed in the middle position of the Finno-Ugric nation system, the Udmurts preserved for some reasons (slow historical development, archaic way of life) a whole layer of their ethnocultural complex deriving from the period of the Finno-Ugric Unity.

It s obviously not mere coincidence that as exchange among the nations is being restored, more and more guests from near and distant areas visit the ancient land of the Udmurts. And the guests are always welcome here.

CULTURE AND ART

Due to the ramified network of culture and art establishments as well as the activity of creative Unions of writers, composers, architects, artists, designers, theatrical workers, professional and folk art develop steadily and remarkably in the Udmurt Republic. This refers not only to the Udmurt art but also to the art of the Russians, Tatars, Mari and other people. For many years the "Italmas" ensemble of Song and Dance has been widely famous (Artistic Director - Anatoly Mamontov). Theater of folk song "Aikai", folklore ensemble "Zangari", Russian ensemble of Song and Dance "Tanok", Tatar ensemble "Guzel" are also very popular. Musical talent of the Udmurt people gave birth to a great number of outstanding professional and amateur composers.

Udmurt belles lettres have a two centuries tradition arisen in ecclesiastical texts. From the first classic writers Grigori Vereshagin and Kuzebai Gerd via creative works of prominent masters of "socialist realism" such as Arhipov T., Krasilnikov G., Petrov M., national literature moved to the larger freedom and sincerity (Vasiliev F., Romanov V., Perevozchikov G. ). The Russian literature is honorably presented by Boltyshev V., Kulyashov P., Poskrebyshev O. Theatrical art has no similar old traditions. However, powerful creative companies of actors and actresses formed in the Russian and Udmurt dramatic theaters in Izhevsk, Opera and Ballet Theater of the Udmurt Republic as well as theaters in Glazov and Sarapul.

Fine arts as well as literature was developing overcoming strict academic traditions which brought up great artists-traditionalists such as Kholmogorov A., Semenov P., Yelkin P. In the 90 s the artists with more relaxed manner of painting declared themselves. Creative works of Kononov V., Orlov S., Korol M. as well as drawings of Garipov M., Safiullin A., Lubarz V. and sculpture of Anikin A., Bushkova Z., Medvedev P., attract an intent attention of the art connoisseurs . Art of industrial design and metal engraving has long traditions. There are not many achievements in modern architecture, but in former times a lot of beautiful architectural ensembles were created in various styles reflecting the designs of different historical periods.

Nowadays in the Udmurt Republic there are 8 professional theaters, 5 state creative musical groups, the Philharmonic Society and a state circus, currently under reconstruction. Over ten (with branches) state and several dozens of public museums, telling about the history and the original culture of the country and its people are at the guests disposal. Besides republican libraries and town Houses of Culture there are centralized library systems and rural centers of leisure in each of 25 districts.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

The first Udmurt technical establishment of higher education was opened in 1930 (VTUZ). Qualified workers, brigade-leaders, technicians and engineers studied here. Soon two higher educational institutes were established in Izhevsk: the Udmurt State Pedagogical Institute (1931), which became the Udmurt State University in 1972, and the Izhevsk State Medical Institute (1932) renamed for the Izhevsk State Medical Academy in 1995. In September, 1939 the Glazov Teacher s Institute, later (in 1952) transformed into the Pedagogical Institute, opened its doors. The Izhevsk Mechanical Institute (nowadays the Izhevsk State Technical University) has been working since September, 1952. In 1954 the Izhevsk Agricultural Institute (today s State Agricultural Academy) was founded. Nowadays almost 25 thousand students are being taught in 5 establishments of higher education, 73,1% of which are day-time students, 5,5% part-time and 21,4% external students.

Every year 40 thousand students obtain education in 30 specialized secondary educational establishments and in 45 professional and technical specialized schools. All in all there are 900 schools in the republic including 882 day-time and 18 part-time comprehensive schools. Over 250 thousand children study and over 19 thousand teachers work in them.

Innovations in education succeed in opening their way in the republic. Within the last 2 or 3 years dozens of secondary educational institutions of new type - gymnasiums, Lyceums, colleges were founded. As a rule, all of them have their own individual approach promoting improvement in children s education. The Izhevsk Humanitarian Lyceum, for example, achieved marked success and in spring, 1994 it was included in the list of hundred educational establishments supported by the Sores Fund. In 1993 there were 1153 permanent pre-school establishments, 540 of them located in towns and urban communities and 613 in the countryside. The courses for improvement of professional skills are available in the republic. Teachers staff for primary schools and junior medical staff are trained in several pedagogical and medical colleges. In September, 1961 the republican cultural and educational college opened its doors. The Izhevsk musical college has been working since December, 1993. Agrarian colleges, Asanovski technical secondary school, Glazov technical college as well as Mozhga veterinary college and Sarapul sovkhoz-college train students to become middle level specialists in agriculture.

Scientific and research institute was open in Izhevsk in April, 1931. Nowadays it is a well-known research institute of history, language and literature pertaining to the Urals Division of the Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation.

In all there are 26 organizations and enterprises in the republic carrying out scientific and technical activity, 7 of them are independent scientific and research institutes (3 academic and 4 branch profiled). Within the last years the fundamental researches in the total volume of scientific-technical works have increased. The number of highly qualified specialists is steadily going up.

RELIGION

Udmurtia is a multinational region where 21 religious teachings are represented. There are 161 religious organizations, 121 of them are registered as legal entities.

The Russian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy is the largest denomination in Udmurtia. It is represented by Izhevsk and Udmurt Eparchy led by Archbishop Nicholas. In Udmurtia members of the Russian Orthodox Church organized 80 parishes, 2 convents and 1 monastery. The eparchy has 55 churches, 15 prayer houses ,2 chapels, its own religious school, and publishes a newspaper called "The Orthodox Udmurtia". St. Alexander Nevski s Cathedral is a monument of 19th century religious architecture. Its restoration was completed in 1995.

There are also two congregations of Old Believers in the republic. They have prayer houses and 2 churches. The followers of Belokrinitsk Concord are building a new church of Our Lady.

Protestantism is the second largest denomination in Udmurtia. Its spreading in the region began in the 19th century. Now there are 47 communities of different Protestant denominations. The largest denominations are Pentecostal, Baptists and Charismatics. Protestants publish a newspaper called "Faith and Life". Unlike believers of other denominations the Protestants actively collaborate with religious centers in the USA, Finland, Sweden, Canada and other countries. They are sharing the experience in religious and missionary activity.

Muslim organizations make up less than 10% of the all functioning communities. There are 14 Muslim groups under the Spiritual Directorate of the Udmurt Muslims which is led by Mufti Gabdulla Mukhametshin. New mosques were built in the cities of Izhevsk and Sarapul in 1995. Every other Muslim community has built a new mosque during the last few years. The main mosque in Izhevsk has a Muslim school where people study the Koran and the Arabic language. Muslim organizations have business links with Islamic countries of the Middle East.

Interest in the Western and Eastern religious and philosophical systems is growing rapidly in Udmurtia. New religious trends are being formed . For example, there is a Hare Krishna Movement in Izhevsk; Bahaists have their own community as well. Other religious groups are also active in Izhevsk.

In ancient times Udmurts worshiped the powers of nature and pagan gods. Their beliefs remained in Udmurt folklore - myths, legends and fairy tales. Some of the religious structures and sites remain up to the present day in some Udmurt villages. Ancient priests used to pray and worship there. Some of the folk holidays take place there now. The history of the religion in Udmurtia is reflected in a movie called "Alangasar s Shadow", released by Udmurt cinematograhists in 1994.

The contemporary religious life in Udmurtia is very diverse. Believers participate in various social activities. The church and government are trying to unite their efforts in improving the ethical and moral foundation of the people and in solving people s day-to-day problems . For these purposes, the material base is being developed. The local government is taking an active part in the construction and restoration of places of worship. Religious literature is published in Russian as well as in the native languages spoken in Udmurtia. Spiritual musical festivals and other events take place regularly.

IZHEVSK,

the capital of the Udmurtia

Izhevsk, the capital city of Udmurtia, is located in the central part of the Udmurt Republic. In territory it is 31.666 hectares. Currently the population of Izhevsk is 700,000 people which amounts to 40% of the population of the whole republic.

Izhevsk is a huge industrial center where 49 large enterprises are located. With respect to the output and variety of manufactured goods it plays one of the leading roles in the economy of the Urals region.

The city was founded on April 10, 1760 on the bank of the Izh-river and initially was a workmen s settlement of the iron-works belonging to Count Shuvalov. In 1763 the first products - metal bands and ship anchors - were manufactured from cast iron. In 1807 under the management of an outstanding mining engineer Mr.Deryabin the construction of the Izhevsk arms-producing factory started on the basis of the iron-works. In 1808 the tool production was established. In 1812 the Izhevsk arms factory supplied the Russian army with 23,717 smooth-bore silicic shot-guns and pistols.

By 1817 the population of the Izhevsk factory settlement had grown up to 8,324 people and by 1842 - up to 15,000 people.

From 1845 the Izhevsk arms factory started manufacturing smooth-bore shot-guns with trigger mechanisms and then, in 1855, it mastered the production of rifled barrel guns.

Alongside with the development of arms-manufacturing skill, the arms craftsmanship schools and later on industrial colleges were established. In 1860 the first private factory producing hunting guns was built. In 1874 the Izhevsk arms factory launched production of "four-line" rifles.

In 1877 the first open-hearth furnace and in 1881 the rolling mill for manufacturing high-grade steel were put into operation at the Izhevsk steel factory (former iron-works).

The economic flourishing of Izhevsk refers to the last decade of the19^th century when mass production of "three-line" weapons took place. These years are also marked by participation of the Izhevsk arms factory in international scientific and industrial exhibitions in Chicago and Paris.

By 1897 the population of the Izhevsk settlement had increased up to 41,074 inhabitants and in February 1918 Izhevsk acquired the status of a city. In 1921 it became the capital of Udmurtia.

In late twenties Izhevsk became the birthplace of the Russian motorcycle-building industry. The first five motorcycles were released in 1928 and in 1935 their serial production was launched. In the thirties the reconstruction of the old factories and erecting of the new ones is going on, among them the Izhstalzavod, the Izhevsk timber factory, the furniture factory etc.

Apart from industry the thirties are distinguished for the development of national culture: the first higher educational institutes, several theatres, the Philharmonic Society and the research institute were opened.

During World War II Izhevsk became an important forge of small arms which supplied about 12.5 million arms for the army. After the war such industries as radio-technical, timber-processing and light industry started to develop. Several factories were built, among them the paper-making machine-building factory, automobile works, mechanical works, bearing-making factory, radio plant. Izhevsk exports its produce to more than 70 countries of the world.

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Portions copyright Communication Company MARK-ITT, 1994-96
Design: Communication Company MARK-ITT, 1994-96