|  HISTORY OF
OBNINSK
Submitted by Victor Latynov, International Relations, Obninsk
 a community
called Obninsk surrounded by picturesque Russian forests on the left bank of the Protva
river. It takes you only an hour and twenty minutes to travel from Moscow to Obninsk by
car. Vnukovo airport for domestic flights and shipping is only 50 min away from Obninsk.
There is a railway station in
the city and a freight airport only 20 km away.
- ...The city is situated about 60 miles to the
south west from Moscow, in the Kaluga region. The place where Obninsk is located has a
rich background of historical events. Three archaeological relics of about 2000 years old
are known here. A Slav hamlet with the signs of ancient culture was located on the place
from where the IPPE started, a remarkable monument, the Luzhki-village, comprises a vast
settlement and a neighboring necropolis with about 20 tumuli. In the vicinity of Obninsk
there are several famous old Russian communities such as Borovsk, Maloyaroslavets and
Tarutino.
... In the middle of the sixteenth century an estate appeared here with its
center in the Belkino village, whose area is covered by Obninsk now. In the end of the
16th century the owners of this estate were the representatives of famous Russian
families. In the late 19th century the owners of the estate became the Obninskies who took
an active part in the preparation of reforms of 1861 in Kaluga province. In the end of the
19 century Belkino became one of the centers of cultural life in the vicinity of Moscow.
...In 1911 a part of the estate as well as some
funds were given by the owners to the famous Russian pedagogue Shatsky in order to
construct a special summer boarding school "Cheerful life" for Moscow children.
The school functioned up to 1941 and became an outstanding event in the pedagogic science
and practice. The works of Shatsky are known all over the world.
... In 1936 a special building was
constructed, and a children's home for Spanish children was organized there.
... In the middle
of October, 1941 the
Kaluga region was occupied by fascist troops, but as early as on December 29 it was
liberated by the Red Army. In May, 1942 buildings of the Spanish children's home and the
boarding-school served as the head quarter of the Western front under the command of our
famous fellow-countryman, Marshal Zhukov.
... About forty
five years ago the name "Obninsk" became
famous when the nuclear power plant was built. During the first years after World War II,
when the country was restoring its economy and rebuilding its towns and villages, not far
from Moscow a group of builders came to the previously almost unsettled region of
Obninskoye to build the first nuclear power plant in Russia. A few houses and a
construction site with a fence around it was the humble beginning of the new scientific
center. The builders worked intensively and with interest, understanding the difficulty
and the importance of the task.
... The settlement began to grow. Researchers were the
first to come to it, both well-known scientists and university graduates. They came with
grand expectations and lofty ideals. These people were going to harness the energy of the
atom to make it serve the man. Their work was a success and on June 27, 1954 the world
witnessed the opening of a new nuclear power plant. With the opening of the power plant, a
new town and a future scientific center was born in Russia.
... On July 24,
1956 Obninsk community
acquired a status of a city within the Kaluga region. The city was built and inhabited by
young people with an average age of 25 years old. Among them there were physics-engineers,
biologists, meteorologists, medical workers, builders. For 40 years its population has
increased a hundred time, and now the city has more than100,000 inhabitants.
-
- ...Obninsk maintains a well developed
infrastructure, manufacturing base, and a highly educated population, which provide the
city with unique potential for future development. The activity of famous scientists such
as Kurchatov, Blokhintsev, Leipunsky, and Timofeev-Resovsky began the city's legacy of
innovative research. Today the work of 200 doctors of science and over 2,000 Ph.D. in
Obninsk continue that legacy.
... The city's closeness to
Moscow, the country's center and the quietness
of the city create wonderful conditions for fruitful work. Good technical facilities, a
well developed communication network and the high intellectual potential of the city make
it one of the country's best places for the research activity.
... The successes of the Obninsk's contributions to science are not attributable
solely to the city's institutes and research complexes. Obninsk has greatly benefited from
scientific exchange. Obninsk has had the privilege to host many conferences, seminars and
symposia which gather researchers from all over the country. For many years participants
in these meetings have also been some of the best scientists of Europe, America, China and
Japan.
... The reforms that are changing Russia also influence this young
scientific center. These changes initiated in politics have found their way to the
economic and social spheres of the city. More than 3,000 new ventures and joint-stock
companies have been registered and started their work in Obninsk in recent years. A
characteristic featureof our enterpreneurs is their understanding of perspectives. Most of
the new ventures are developing their own scientific projects, know-how, supporting
innovation programs. The privatization program developed and being implemented in the city
is an additional stimulus to the growth of private business. Shops, small ventures, flats
are becoming private and at the real estate auctions one may buy unfinished constructions.
Great attention continues to be given to projects that support the intellectual potential
of the city.
... Culture and
arts thrive in Obninsk
because the community both participates and appreciates. Museum, dance and theater groups,
chorus and a multitude of other cultural activities reflect the city's love affair with
the arts. Cultural life flows with a richness and diversity. Obninsk has much to offer. We
invite you to come and see for yourself.
|
