Smolenskii district
SMOLENSKII DISTRICT
Smolenskii district is Russia in miniature. One can enjoy the calm beauty of this land; feel the reflection of Russian mentality in its people’s characters.
People living here are hard-working, persistent, just. The main values of Russian society are brought together here: patriotism, solidarity, and respect to ancestors. Smolenskii district dates back to the beginning of the 18 th century when the Cossacks founded the first fortress to protect these lands from the Jungarian* tribes.
The village of Smolenskoye, named after the icon of Smolenskaya Godmother (Odigitria) was founded in 1759. Cossacks and their families lived and worked on these lands up to the October Revolution. After 1917 all the population was divided into 2 groups: the Red and the White. The Cossacks, whose families had been living here for hundreds of years, were against the Collectivization. They resisted the Soviet Power and many of them were killed or exiled.
During the Great Patriotic War 9660 people from Smolenskii district went to the war to defend their Motherland. The people from our district showed heroism and bravery, many of them were awarded with orders and medals. Women and children worked in the rear to supply the Soviet Army with provision.
The peak of florescence of Smolenskii district was in the 1970s-1980s when the village had many enterprises, good social sphere, and it was considered to be one of the best in Altai region. Some foreign delegations from Mongolia, Germany visited the village to study the socialist system of economy.
Today Smolenskii district is more than 80 years old. It had difficult times and years of florescence. Now it faces a lot of big and little problems, seeking the best future. People must understand that only they are able to help themselves. I believe that our district will revive and will be the best in Altai region.
But only talented, creative, and hard-working people can do it!
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*Jungarian tribes are the tribes from China, who fought for the lands of Altai region. Collectivization-After the October Revolution 1917 people were made to give their horses, cows, lands to the collective farms and worked there
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