Syktyvkar is the capital of the Komi Republic, its administrative, economic and cultural centre. It has been the administrative centre of the Komi land since 1935. Syktyvkar is a small place compared to larger administrative and industrial cities of central and southern Russia, but as a northern town it is quite large. About 250 thousand people live here now and it is still growing rapidly. I think there are many reasons for people from other places to decide to settle here.
Our city is situated on the high banks of the Sysola and Vytchegda rivers. It is surrounded by forests rich in mushrooms and berries. The forests present excellent opportunities for recreation.
Syktyvkar is a beautiful quiet place. The streets are mostly wide, green and bright with trees and flowers. They are well-kept and new trees are planted every year in new districts. The architecture of the city is simple and most dwelling houses are modern five- or nine-storeyed blocks of flats, very modest in design. Only in the older part of the city can you find a few really nice buildings which are considered to be architectural monuments. There are also some beautiful modern constructions in the centre. They are governmental buildings and offices of different enterprises. In fact, the architectural image of our city is now changing for the better.
The heart of Syktyvkar is Stephanovskaya square, enclosed by several official buildings. Here most public events like meetings, demonstrations and festivals take place. In winter Stephanovskaya square attracts thousands of children because it becomes the centre of New Year celebrations with a New Year tree, huge Grandfather Frost, different sculptures and towers made of ice and snow and facilities for winter sports.
The streets of our city looked very different a few decades ago. Wood has been the most practical building material in the north for many centuries and it was popular in our parts too. You can still see small wooden constructions in the neighbourhood and two-storeyed dwelling houses in some districts of Syktyvkar.
Today the modern architecture and the young people living here make Syktyvkar look young. But it is believed that there has been a settlement at the city's present site since at least the 16th century (the first mention of the settlement at the mouth of the Sysola refers to 1586). It was granted city status by Catherine the Great in 1780. It was then an important trading centre in the north. Beautiful and valuable furs, various products of farming and fish were sold and bought at the fairs in Ust-Sysolsk. At the same time it was a place of exile for many progressive people who greatly influenced the cultural life of the local society.
Since then Syktyvkar which obtained its new name in 1930 has become a big industrial centre. The capital of the Komi republic has about 40 industrial enterprises, the largest being Mondi Business Paper Syktyvkar (the Pulp-and-Paper mill), built on the Vytchegda in 1969. Today it produces a variety of quality products having great demand on the domestic and foreign markets. The oldest industrial enterprise of our city is the Woodworking plant, which started its work in 1926. It produces sawn timber of the best quality for construction and furniture making. There are also many machine-building and chemical enterprises, as well as different other large and small businesses.
The cultural life of Syktyvkar is rich thanks to the activities of many talented people working at the Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the Drama Theatre. The Drama theatre has two sections, a Russian group and a Komi group. We have a good concert hall too. Performances of the Komi folk singing and dancing group «Assya Kya», concerts of visiting pop groups and classical musicians are very popular with Syktyvkarers. We have a good art museum, history museum, Kuratov literature museum, a number of libraries well stocked with books. Stadiums and sport complexes help young people to feel fit.
Syktyvkar is also a significant scientific centre. It is the seat of the Komi Scientific centre of the Urals Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The research institutes of our city make great contribution into science and economy. The Syktyvkar University, the Teachers' Training Institute and the Forest Institute enroll thousands of students and provide our Republic with young professionals for many spheres of human activities. There are many secondary and vocational schools here too.
No doubt with its wonderful people Syktyvkar has a bright future.
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