Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
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IN Main Archives of Moscow The fourth and final round of the "Unique Documents: A New Generation's View" project has begun. It focuses on aviation. Students in grades 8–11 and colleges, who have passed a competitive selection process, are participating. Over the course of three weeks, they will work with authentic archival materials, assisting specialists in finding documents for inclusion in the registry of unique documents.
"This season, project participants were able to work with various thematic units and authentic archival documents. The fourth stream will allow them to delve deeper into the history of Russian aviation. For example, young researchers will become familiar with official documents and autobiographical materials of Heroes of the Soviet Union Boris Lunts, Ivan Maltsev, and Alexander Manokhin," said the head of the Moscow Main Archives Department.
The in-person stage of the project will be attended by students from Moscow's educational institutions who most fully and convincingly explore the chosen topic in their competition essays. During the classes, they will have the opportunity to examine the personal documents of famous aviators, housed in the Moscow Main Archives. These include memoirs, autobiographies, archival photographs, and newspaper articles, offering a fresh perspective on the lives of those connected to the skies.
A special place is given to materials about the pilots of the legendary all-female air regiment known as the "Night Witches." In particular, participants will be able to explore documents by Evgeniya Zhigulenko and Polina Gelman.
As part of their research, schoolchildren and college students will also study the pilots' personal correspondence. The Glavarkhiv archives contain letters and postcards sent to their families. These materials are supplemented by media coverage of the pilots' heroism, as well as official documents—award certificates, Hero of the Soviet Union award certificates, and combat mission reports—reflecting the scale of their achievement.
The participants' work will result in individual projects with proposals for assigning unique status to documents.
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The project is being implemented by the Main Archives Department of Moscow with the support of the capital Department of Education and Science Based at the Moscow Center for Educational Practices, the participants analyzed approximately 1,500 archival files during the first season and contributed to the recognition of unique documents related to 21 prominent figures in science, art, and culture.
The second season was dedicated to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, as well as scientists from the Christopher Ledentsov Society for the Promotion of Experimental Sciences and their Practical Applications.
The third season encompasses several areas, from Arctic exploration and the development of aeronautics to the history of astronomy and aviation. It will run until the end of the 2025/2026 academic year. Participants who reach the finals of the in-person round will receive diplomas and commemorative awards in May 2026.
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