Oryol: The Pearl of the Province

"Oryol: The Pearl of the Province"

As we stand before the monument watching the water flowing and listening to the wind whispering in the poplars, we feel our hearts beating faster: this is where Oryol started, in 1566 a fortress was erected here, which was the beginning of the town.

On the morning of October 28, 1566 people came to the confluence of the two rivers - the Oka and the Orlik - to cut down the centuries-old trees and clear the space for a settlement.

The first stroke of an axe against a great oak made an eagle take flight from its nest. "Here is the master himself!" said the people, following the eagle with their eyes.

The eagle flew away, but it left its name, Oryol, the Eagle, to the town built to protect the southern boarders of Russia from the raids of the Crimean Tatars.

Now Oryol is the centre of the Oryol region. According to the latest census, the population of the city is more than 300 thousand people. The Governor of the region, Yegor Stroyev is a prominent political leader who for a number of years was the Speaker of the Federation Council of Russia.

The city of Oryol is very beautiful. Some of the most picturesque scenes can be viewed from the bridges over the rivers.

Almost all the bridges lead to the centre of the city, which is exceptionally picturesque: architectural ensembles of the 18^th - 19^th centuries, memorials and the gilded domes of churches - all deep in greenery.

Churches are the real treasure and beauty of the city: the Trinity Church, the Iverskaya Church, the Epiphany Church and others. One of the most beautiful historic buildings in Oryol is Michael the Archangel's Church. (It was founded in me first part of the 17^th century. The grandeur of the icons and ornaments provides a breathtaking interior, which is open to all.)

Perhaps, the most favourite place of all Orlovians, where one can spend some placid time in the shade of the age-old trees, have a stroll along the pathways or wander on the river-bank, is the central city park.

The city park is situated high on the left bank of the Oka River. The opening ceremony of the park took place on the 1^st of May, 1823. Over 15 000 trees and shrubs were planted there.

A distinguished visitor to our city wrote in 1839: "Such a garden would be fit for the capital city".

In 1951 two rotunda summer-houses were built and the central entrance was decorated with a colonnade. Later a stone staircase leading to the river was built, and the cascade fountain was set up.

The city park traditionally serves as the main area for festivities on Victory day and on the 5th of August which is the day of the liberation of Oryol from the fascists. On any other day one can also enjoy the excellent facilities available in the park. Here various concerts and cultural celebrations are held, and a great number of people come to see them. Children are fond of the amusement rides; and a magnificent panorama of the city unfolds to the eye from a seat on the big Ferris wheel.

At the jetty one can hire rowing boats or take a river tour on the white river bus that will reveal all the beauty of the riverside.

There is an important historical place in the center of Oryol where an imposing tank stands on a pedestal now.

The volleys of World War II were still thundering, but in the greatest battle of the Oryol - Kursk Bulge the fascists' forces, which had attacked our country, were defeated. World War II brought terrible ordeals to Oryol but also made it famous as the city of the first victory fireworks display.

At that unforgettable time, when our Motherland celebrated the liberation of Oryol and Belgorod from the enemy with the first victory salute, a monument of a tank appeared in our city.

But victory is not easy; many brave Soviet soldiers fell forever in and around the city, among them members of tank crews.

On the 20^th anniversary of the liberation of Oryol in 1963 a new high granite pedestal for the tank was erected, and a memorial with the names of the heroic tank crews was made. An Eternal Flame was lit in the centre of the memorial, and it reminds us of the immortal memory of those who died in World War II.

According to tradition, newlyweds and delegations from other cities and countries come to the monument and lay a wreath of flowers on the grave of the heroes and honour the memory of the liberators of Oryol. In 2003 the 60^th anniversary of the liberation was celebrated brightly and solemnly.

The Oryol region is known for its high level of agriculture and industry. The region has a favorable climate for agriculture, a good transportation network and a favorable geographical location. The most important industrial sectors are power engineering and metalworking, as well as instrument-making, electronics, building materials, light manufacturing and food processing. Oryol produces a wide range of crops, including grains and legumes, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables, milk, meat, and a selection of seeds and breeding stock. The Oryol economy is mixed, with both agriculture and industry playing important roles. There is a great variety of wholesome products at the market place and in shops. A vivid sight of every holiday is a fair that gamers lots of people from Oryol and the surrounding area. Cafes, bars and restaurants invite you to taste dishes of traditional Russian and foreign cuisine. There are many shops, shopping centers and supermarkets where one can buy everything he needs produced by the best Russian and foreign companies.

The Oryol region has developed economic ties with numerous companies from more than 25 foreign countries, among them Germany, Italy, Iraq, the Netherlands, the USA, France, and the CIS countries: Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and others.

As a tourist centre Oryol is especially well-known to lovers of Russian literature.

The city has gone down in the history of Russian literature as the birthplace of the great writer I. Turgenev, who wrote so movingly about the talented local people, the scenic beauty of his native land, and the women of Russia.

A memorial plaque marks the place in Turgenev Street where the author of "A Hunter's Sketches", "Fathers and Sons", "The Nobility's Nest", and other well-known books was born on October 28, 1818. Today on Turgenev's Bank there is a monument dedicated to this great Russian writer.

In the old part of the city is the Turgenev Museum, devoted to the life and work of the writer, and his close ties with enlightened Europe. A visitor can see pieces of furniture from Turgenev's Paris study and the gown from Oxford University where he was given the title of Doctor of Law.

On the steep bank of the Orlik, where old lime-trees stand, there is a very inviting footpath perfect for walking under the stars in any season. Today this bank is still called The Nobility's Nest in honor of Turgenev's book.

65 km from Oryol is the State memorial and natural museum - "Spasskoye-Lutovinovo" - the estate of Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev. The perfectly preserved park and buildings give you a taste of a 19^th century country manor. The days spent in Spasskoe-Lutovinovo by the writer, especially after returning from abroad, were exceptionally fruitful. Five of his six most famous novels were written there: "Rudin", "The Nobility's Nest", "On the Eve", "Fathers and Sons", and "Faust".

"My Green Wonderland" was what Ivan Turgenev called Spasskoye-Lutovinovo. It was always with great emotions that he spoke about this insoluble link with Russia and his home. "The air at home has something magical about it, something that goes straight to your heart. It is an involuntary subconscious gravitation of the flesh to the soil on which it was born."

The pearl of the garden is the famous two-hundred-year old oak-tree planted by Turgenev himself, hi a letter to his friend Turgenev wrote, "When you come to Spasskoye, bow for me to the house, the garden, my young oak-tree, and bow to my Motherland..."

Each June the estate hosts the Turgenev festival. Near Turgenev's house, actors perform scenes from his stories and novels, and on the meadows of the park folk groups dance and sing. In Spasskaya church, concerts of choral and orchestral music take place, and the paintings of local artists are exhibited.

Another famous son of Oryol is Nikolai Leskov, one of Russia's most prominent writers. Leskov had a keen appreciation of common people and regarded them with love.

Today there is a monument to the writer in the city centre. Leskov is surrounded by various sculptural images of the characters of his works.

Ivan Turgenev and Nikolai Leskov are not the only outstanding men born in Oryol. Oryol is also the home of Afanasy Fet, Leonid Andreyev, Ivan Bunin, and Fyodor Tyutchev. Each of these names is associated with an enchanting world of pictures of Russian scenery, characters, and feelings.

The Museum of the Oryol Writers preserves the memory of these outstanding Russian literary figures.

Here in Oryol, every comer reminds us of the times associated with the prominent figures.

Though Oryol is not a very big city, it has become an important center of education and it is often called "the city of students".

There are, in fact, 180 students for every 10000 people. Only Moscow and the Ivanovo region surpass that, while all the neighbouring regions are far behind. In Oryol there are 9 higher educational institutions.

Oryol State University founded as a teachers' training college in 1931 is the oldest, the biggest and one of the leading higher education institutions in our city.

About 9000 students study here. The university has 17 faculties, a post­graduate department, an agricultural station, an observatory, student workshops, and laboratories. It hosts 2 Institutes: medical and the Institute of public education.

23 science schools do research in various fields. The University scientific library contains hundreds of thousands of valuable volumes. Like many other educational institutions (among them the Oryol State Technical University, Art and Culture Institute, Agricultural University and others), Oryol State University organizes and holds interinstitutional, interregional and international conferences on different problems in various sciences.

All universities in Oryol have a busy intellectual and social life with lectures, symposia, concerts, theatre performances, parties and other forms of entertainment.

Among secondary schools, there are some that specialize in teaching foreign languages. Even small boys and girls in such schools are able to speak some English, German, or French. Other various educational programs give people of any age and social status the opportunity to learn foreign languages.

In all educational establishments much attention is given to physical training and sports. Every school, college and University in Oryol has a sports-field. New stadiums, gyms and swimming pools are being built in different residential areas of the city, so all year round thousands of Orlovians participate in different kinds of sports. The most popular sports are: gymnastics, track-and-field athletics, skiing, boxing, wrestling, volleyball, korfball and some others. The rivers and lakes offer excellent opportunities for fishing.

Among team sports, football takes the first place in public interest, in 2003 the football team "Oryol" was admitted to the First Football Division which became the object of pride for all Orlovians.

Big sport events and festivals, like all-Russia and European championships, are often held in the city. Some leading sportsmen from Oryol have become champions and prize-winners of European and world championships. (Among them are Tatyana Levina, Igor Pavlov, Sergey Kirmasov, Ekaterina Rosenberg, Igor Borisov, Egor Sergeechev and some others.) Physical culture and sports have really become a matter of national importance in the Oryol region.

The picture of the cultural life of Oryol would be incomplete without mentioning Oryol theatres, which are our pride and joy. Oryol is home to The Drama Theatre, The Free Space Theatre, The Russian Style Theatre and The Puppet Theatre. These theatres stage both classical and modem plays which make them attractive for people of all ages.

The Drama Theatre (also known as The Turgenev Theatre) is remarkable for its long distinguished history dating to September 25^th, 1815 when its curtain rose for the first time. (With a talented company, the variety of its repertoire and the glamour of staging, the theatre of Count Kamensky, who was its original owner, gained an excellent reputation among the general public of Russia in its time. The Drama Theatre (officially reflected in its rank as "academic theatre") has successfully withstood the test of time and today it is known as a centre of a more traditional interpretation of classical Russian literature.)

Another Oryol theatre worth boasting of is The Theatre for Young Spectators or The Free Space Theatre. From me start the theatre rapidly developed as a centre of more avant-garde and experimental work with electronic music and lighting and body movements to replace spoken words in expressing ideas. The theatre company travels extensively, participating in festivals in Russia, Spain, the USA, Poland and other countries. Unlike The Drama Theatre or The Free Space Theatre, the theatre "Russian Style" is not very big, only 50 seats. It is a small municipal hall known for a special atmosphere and a wide range of shows.

The Oryol region has very beautiful and picturesque landscapes. There are forests, meadows, ponds and parks. The National park "Orlovskoye Polesie" is unique in the chernozem zone. It was founded by the Government of the Russian Federation on January 9, 1994. The main mission of this park is to preserve the unique complex of Central Russia, to restore historic landscape and to save our cultural heritage.

The true value of "Orlovskoye Polesie" lies in the complex plant and animal life that the reserve supports. Large ungulates such as moose, roe deer, boar and auroch are common in the park. Foxes, wolves, hares, wild bears coexist here. Desman, an animal that was added to the Red Book in 1920 can also be found in this park. As many as 145 species of birds sing in the forests of "Orlovskoye Polesie".

In the old-growth deciduous forests in the southern section of the park, oaks dominate, with some individual trees dating back to the time of Peter the Great. Common ash, various birches and maples are also spread through the forests, giving the woods particular beauty in the fall, when these trees turn different shades of brown, yellow, and red.

"Orlovskoye Polesie" keeps our history alive. Within its territory there are some villages, which were founded in me 1^st millennium AD.

Guests are welcome to visit "Orlovskoye Polesie" at any time of the year. The zoo with more than 30 kinds of animals and birds is located here so that visitors can observe wild life. The animals are kept in open-air cages. Some of them such as ostriches and camels are not typical for our region, but they have adapted perfectly.

Every city has a place where its heart is kept. In Oryol, it is where the Oka river meets the Orlik. It is here that the first seed of the city was planted. As you stand on the steep bank of the Oka near the city park, you discover one ofthe most pleasant and picturesque places in Oryol.

Now we have an obelisk here which was raised by the citizens in 1966 to honour the 400th birthday of Oryol.

It is interesting to note that there is a letter stored in a capsule at the foundation level of the obelisk, which is dedicated to the prosperity of the 21st century. This letter is to be opened and read in the year 2066. What did the people in the middle of the 20th century want to say or warn their unknown descendants about?

The answer to that is hidden well in the depth of the 21st century or, possibly, lies deep in the hearts of the citizens of Oryol, the city which is the real Pearl of the Province. "No other Russian city has put to the service of the Motherland so many Russian men of letters as Oryol has reared on its shallow waters", wrote a real patriot of his town Nikolai Leskov. We all remember these words. What is the origin of Orlovians' creativity? Probably, it is in the broad expanse where the murmur of oak groves, the rustle of crops, the indistinct lapping of the river, and the whisper of soft grass sink into one's heart and stay there for ever.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-04