Catherine II and Anna Shchetinina: great women at the "Journey Across Russia" exposition
At the
National Centre RUSSIA, an exposition dedicated to the landmarks and
achievements of all federal districts of our country is on display. On International
Women's Day — March 8 — we share the stories of the great women you can
discover at the exposition "Journey Across Russia."
Visitors
are first welcomed by the exposition of the Far East. Here, you can see the
natural beauty and local wildlife, large-scale economic projects, and learn a
lot about the history of the Far Eastern lands and famous natives of the Far
East. Among them is the first female captain of long-distance sailing, Anna
Shchetinina. She made her first voyage at the age of just 27 when she steered
the cargo steamer "Chavycha" from Hamburg to
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. For over two years, she then navigated this steamer
across the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk.
From the
start of her career, Anna Shchetinina was known for her iron will and firm
character. The crew obeyed her unconditionally, and perfect order always
prevailed on her ship. In February 1936, she managed to save the steamer
"Chavycha" after a collision with icebergs. Later, she became the
first head of the Vladivostok Fishery Port, organizing its work literally from
scratch. However, her main achievements came during the years of the Great
Patriotic War, when Shchetinina evacuated the population of Tallinn under
bombardments and transported strategic cargoes. In 1978, Anna Shchetinina was
awarded the title Hero of Socialist Labor.
In the
exposition of the Southern Federal District, you can learn about a woman who is
rightly considered one of the key figures in Russian history. This is about
Empress Catherine the Great. It was during her reign in 1783 that Crimea,
Taman, and Kuban became part of the Russian Empire: on April 19, the empress
signed the Highest Manifesto incorporating new territories into the country.
In
addition, Catherine II carried out a number of successful administrative,
financial, and educational reforms. Under her rule, a network of primary and
secondary schools appeared in the Russian Empire, hospitals, hospices, and
shelters opened in cities, and a system of medical care began to form. Additionally,
a banking system was created, both coins and banknotes appeared in circulation,
state treasury revenues quadrupled, and the number of factories and
manufactories significantly increased.
Entry to
the exposition "Journey Across Russia" is free as part of tour
groups, which are formed by prior registration on the website russia.ru in the
"Events" section.
The National Centre RUSSIA reminds everyone that registration for the video essay contest "Dreams of the Future".