Winner of the XVIII International Pushkin contest Jennet Matieva: about war and peace at lessons of Russian language


«Not all of Turkmen soldiers before their draft for the war knew Russian, but those who returned from war home, freely spoke it. Russian united people, Russian songs were clear for both Georgians, and Tatars, and Latvians, and, of course, Turkmens …», - writes in her essay on the theme «Victory’s Autograph. On war and peace at lessons of Russian language» at the International Pushkin contest of the «Russian newspaper», a specialist in Russian philology from Turkmenistan Jennet Matieva. The teacher of Russian from Dashoguz city connects her love to and attachment with Russian with her grandfather Tagan. He was a war veteran, reached Czechia and met the Victory in the city of Brno. The specialist in Russian philology writes: when my grandfather remembered the war, at once he shifted from Turkmen language to Russian. «Once, I was then 15 years old, and he was already under 80, I asked him why he always tells about war in Russian, after all not even adult members of the family understand him well and grandsons either for a long time. The grandfather answered: war was international, and in it people from different republics participated; many were mobilised for front from villages, kishlaks, farms and settlements. Not all before the conscription into the war knew Russian, but those who came back home from war freely spoke it», - she remembers. Russian united people, the reports of the Sovinformburo sounded by Levitan, all looked forward, it did not matter what nationality was one, and long-awaited words about defeat of fascist Germany were apprehended by all as the best one in the world. The teacher always remembered words of her grandfather Tagan: "Victory" - such a sweet Russian word "…" The teacher is sure that these stories have affected her further destiny and trade choice. It even helped her at the entrance examination in the Dovletmammet Azady Turkmen institute of world languages. «A teacher asked me an additional question not on the theme: “about what poem I knew of war and if I could recite it? », - the specialist in Russian philology writes. - From unexpectedness I entered into a stupor... And here in memory our conversation with my grandfather Tagan about Russian in the war and about songs which were sung by people of different nationalities emerged. I can sing« Katyusha»! », - describes Jennet her examination. "Katyusha" is that song which was sung not by one generation of pupils of the Turkmen specialist in Russian philology, even now they sing it. «Not a single holiday goes without “Katyusha” on May 9. I consider this song as the autograph of the Victory, after all it encouraged into fight … », - the teacher underlines in her essay. Preparing for the essay writing on the theme of the 75th anniversary of Victory, Jennet discussed with her pupils, what they know about war? Their answers were different: they spoke about monuments to the lost soldiers, books, films, verses and songs, letters from front … And someone from children suddenly said: «If we do not remember about war, then peace will not be either».
* * *
Jennet Matieva - the teacher of Russian of high school of №2 of Dashoguz city in the north of Turkmenistan, in 2018 became winner of the annual XVIII International Pushkin contest in Russia. Jennet Matieva teaches at school for about 20 years. Her students became repeated winners of the state academic Olympiads and various intellectual competitions.







