Category: English

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The Academic Council meeting took place in a particularly solemn atmosphere. This was primarily because it was held not in the usual meeting hall, but in the renovated Auditorium No. 159 in the Main Building, which now bears the name of the outstanding physicist, world-class specialist in materials science and metallurgy, Professor Elena Fedorovna Silnikova, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, and a graduate of the Polytechnic University.

Dmitry Karpov, Scientific Secretary of SPbPU, spoke about Elena Fedorovna's scientific career in his welcoming speech during the auditorium's opening ceremony.

In 1961, Elena Fedorovna graduated from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the M. I. Kalinin Leningrad Polytechnic Institute. In 1967, she entered graduate school in the Department of Plastic Processing of Metals. Under the supervision of Professor Vasily Sergeevich Smirnov, Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Elena Fedorovna pioneered a new direction in materials science, applying the physical theory of plastic deformation to metal forming problems. A candidate of sciences, she studied the structure, properties, and texture formation in the production of various metals and alloys. The results of her work on metal physics and materials science, completed under her supervision and implemented in production, formed the basis for Elena Fedorovna's doctoral dissertation and the scientific works of her students.

Elena Fedorovna worked at the Polytechnic University for 27 years, then transferred to the Scientific and Production Association of Special Materials. Professor Silnikova's main scientific work was the monograph "Crystallographic Texture and Texture Formation."

"The contributions of Elena Fedorovna Silnikova to Russian science are hard to overstate. Her research findings formed the basis for many scientific advances in solid-state physics and increased the efficiency of technological processes," said Andrey Rudskoy, Rector of SPbPU and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The opening ceremony for the auditorium was not accompanied by a ribbon-cutting this time. It was marked by other memorable moments.

Dmitry Karpov emphasized that the auditorium renovation was made possible thanks to the assistance of Mikhail Silnikov, General Director and Chief Designer of the Scientific and Production Association of Special Materials and also a Polytechnic alumnus. On November 10, 2025, members of the SPbPU Academic Council unanimously voted to award Mikhail Vladimirovich Silnikov, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, and Professor, the title of "Honorary Alumnus" "for outstanding achievements in professional and public activities that contribute to the university's growing prestige at the Russian and international levels." The presentation of the diploma and badge of Honorary Alumnus of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University took place in this historic auditorium, named after Mikhail Vladimirovich's mother, Elena Fedorovna Silnikova.

Mikhail Vladimirovich is a member of the Silnikov dynasty, which spans four generations. Mikhail Vladimirovich's grandmother's older brother, mother, father, Vladimir Nikolaevich (a graduate of the Mechanical Engineering Institute, a mechanical engineer specializing in machines and metal forming), and his father's older brother all studied at the Polytechnic Institute.

Mikhail Vladimirovich Silnikov himself graduated from the Faculty of Physics and Mechanics in 1985. His son, Nikita Mikhailovich, a 2012 graduate of the Faculty of Physics and Mechanics and a Doctor of Engineering Sciences, currently teaches at the Higher School of Technosphere Safety at the Polytechnic University. For his significant contribution to the development of SPbPU, Nikita Silnikov was awarded the "For Merit" badge.

Thank you, esteemed Mikhail Vladimirovich, for your service to the Fatherland, for continuing the family line, and for such a wonderful gift to our alma mater as the new life of this now-named auditorium, and for establishing the Elena Fedorovna Silnikova Scholarship, which will support the research of young Polytechnic scientists, said Rector Andrei Rudskoy.

In his response, Mikhail Silnikov expressed gratitude to the Polytechnic University leadership for their trust and for the opportunity to contribute to the development of his alma mater: "We received comprehensive instructions on how to tidy up the auditorium: it must be worthy of the great Polytechnic University."

Mikhail Vladimirovich noted the coordinated work of the university's departments, construction workers, and the furniture manufacturer. Incidentally, at Andrei Rudskoy's suggestion, the classroom tables were modeled after the desks preserved from the pre-revolutionary Polytechnic University—the very same one with a sliding top and footrest.

One of the auditorium's walls is decorated with a bas-relief on the theme of science and technology, featuring a portrait of Elena Feodorovna Silnikova. Two niches also hold busts of the renowned small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov and Marshal of Artillery and Commander of the Missile Forces and Artillery of the USSR Ground Forces Vladimir Mikhalkin. The artists behind these works, artist-sculptor Nikolai Ivanov and sculptor Vadim Sazonov, were also present at the auditorium's opening ceremony. Andrei Rudskoy presented them with Certificates of Acknowledgment from the Polytechnic University. In turn, the artists donated their new work—a bust of Emperor Peter the Great—to the Polytechnic University.

In the same festive atmosphere, the Polytechnic students were honored for their achievements in various fields and their contributions to the development of the university, science, and education.

Nina Pankova, Advisor to the Rector's Office, was awarded the "Honorary Mentor" badge from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

The title of "Honored Worker of Education of the Russian Federation" was awarded to Inna Nikolaeva, associate professor at the Higher School of Mechanics and Control Processes.

Professor Sergei Barykin of the Higher School of Service and Trade received the Medal "For Impeccable Work and Distinction" from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation.

For his significant contribution to the development of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Stanislav Vladimirov, Vice-Rector for Organizational and Economic Affairs, was awarded the "For Merit" badge.

Mikhail Silnikov, General Director and Chief Designer of the Scientific and Production Association of Special Materials, presented the Polytechnic University with a Certificate of Honor from the Public Council of the Leningrad Military District for assistance in solving service and combat tasks.

Commemorative signs for the "Joint Strategic Exercise 'WEST-2025'" from the Russian Ministry of Defense were presented to: Vice-Rector for Organizational and Economic Work Stanislav Vladimirov, Vice-Rector for Continuing and Pre-University Education Dmitry Tikhonov, Director of the SPbPU History Museum Valery Klimov, Leading Specialist of the SPbPU History Museum Artyom Solovyov, Director of the Higher School of Materials Physics and Technology Sergey Ganin, and Associate Professor of the Higher School of Social Sciences Ivan Kolomeitsev.

Opening the renovated auditorium, Polytechnic University Rector Andrey Rudskoy proposed that it be used for doctoral dissertation defenses. This time, the diplomas of the successfully defended PhD candidates were awarded there.

Candidate of Technical Sciences diplomas were awarded to:

Svetlana-Victoria Muzafarova (scientific supervisor – Anton Naumov), Alexander Doronin (scientific supervisor – Andrey Andreev), Anastasia Borina (scientific supervisor – Valery Tereshin), Alexander Savelyev (scientific supervisor – Igor Bobrovsky).

Candidate of Economic Sciences diplomas:

Sofia Kalyazina (scientific supervisor – Anastasia Levina), Nikolai Nikitin (scientific supervisor – Igor Ilyin).

The diploma of candidate of biological sciences was awarded to Luiza Abdul-Azizovna Garayeva (scientific supervisor – Tatyana Shtam).

Also, a diploma conferring the academic title of associate professor was awarded to Wang Juntao, candidate of political sciences and associate professor of the Higher School of International Relations at SPbPU.

Vice-Rector for Human Resources Policy Maria Vrublevskaya presented a report on the university's progress in national and international rankings.

Scientific Secretary Dmitry Karpov reported on the implementation of the Academic Council's instructions.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Exactly one hundred years ago, on November 25, 1925, in Konstantinovka, Donetsk Oblast, a girl was born. Her father named her Noyabrina, and the entire country came to know and love her as Nonna Viktorovna Mordyukova. Above all, for her truly folk Cossack character—unbending, proud, and free, spiced with a fiery sense of humor. A great actress, her long life was full of light and shadow, love and loneliness, glory and loss.

Free Cossack

She grew up in Kuban, in a large, working-class family: six children, her mother a collective farm chairwoman, her father a military man. It was her mother, Irina Petrovna, who instilled in her a love of song, of the stage, of what would later become her destiny. And Nonna, still a schoolgirl, would sneak off to the cinema—not just for fun, but to watch, to listen, to dream: if only they'd show me too. And one day, seeing the name of actor Nikolai Mordvinov on a poster for "Bohdan Khmelnitsky," she wrote him a letter. She received a reply: first finish tenth grade, then apply to VGIK. And although studying was difficult for her, she obeyed.

After the war, Nonna went to Moscow to enroll in drama school: no rehearsals, no preparation, with only a burning passion within her. During the entrance exams, she improvised: she talked about Kuban, gesticulated, laughed, and cried. And the VGIK admissions committee saw an actress before them. While still a student, in 1948, she made her debut in Sergei Gerasimov's film "The Young Guard," playing Ulyana Gromova—a real person, a girl from a partisan detachment tortured by the Nazis. Nonna visited Ulyana's parents, walked around her room, and memorized details. The writer Alexander Fadeyev later admitted that if he had known Mordyukova when he wrote the novel, Gromova would have turned out differently. The film earned her the First Degree Stalin Prize and eternal fame. To the end of her life, the actress called this role her most precious.

Thorny film path

After "The Young Guard," Nonna Mordyukova experienced five years of silence. Her only escape from the agonizing wait for new film roles was her work at the Film Actors' Studio Theatre. Then came a small role in "The Return of Vasily Bortnikov," and finally, demand and success arrived.

Over the course of half a century, Nonna Viktorovna played more than fifty roles, some tragic, some humorous. She effortlessly transformed herself from a collective farm chairwoman (A Simple Story) to a languid merchant's wife (The Marriage of Balzaminov) or a stern Red Army commander (The Commissar). And each time, she was not just a character, but a living person.

"Commissar" became a special drama for her, as the film was banned immediately after filming. Mordyukova's character, a Red Army commissar, ends up in the home of a Jewish family on the eve of giving birth, where she finds unexpected support. But alas, director Askoldov was fired, and the copies of the film were destroyed, although, as it turns out, Gerasimova managed to hide one in a safe. Twenty years later, the film was shown, and the world gasped. The scene where the commissar breastfeeds her child became iconic: Nonna Mordyukova was one of the first Soviet actresses to allow herself to be naked on screen, not for effect, but for the sake of truth.

My own, my dear

After the resounding international success of "Commissar," Nonna Viktorovna was invited to appear in Hollywood, but she didn't want to play someone "outside." Soviet audiences, however, found many beloved roles. In "The Diamond Arm," Mordyukova played the vigilant building manager Varvara Sergeyevna Plyushch, and her lines were truly folksy, like "Our people don't take taxis to the bakery!" Director Gaidai championed her character—the bosses wanted to edit the vengeful utility worker out of the script. He even introduced the actress's last name into the fictional language of the smugglers: when they quarrel, the word "mordyuk" is clearly heard.

In Mikhalkov's "Kindred," she's a down-to-earth, suffering mother who came from the countryside to save her daughter from divorce. On set, the director harshly criticized and provoked Mordyukova to evoke strong emotions, forcing her to get an awkward perm and wear metal teeth. She even hit him once, but her performance was brilliant. And the dance scene, after which she was taken away in an ambulance, will forever remain etched in cinematic history.

Sad soul

Nonna Viktorovna dreamed of playing Aksinya in "And Quiet Flows the Don," but the role went to someone else, which deeply hurt her. In the 1990s, she wrote an autobiography, "Don't Cry, Cossack Girl!" It recounts her entire life: reserved, proud, sparing in pity, yet full of dignity and suffering, as the actress twice had to bury her son. On screen, in the film "Russian Field," where they brilliantly portrayed the tragedy of a mother and her adult child, and in real life, Vladimir Tikhonov, whose father was the famous actor Vyacheslav Tikhonov, the legendary Stirlitz from "Seventeen Moments of Spring," passed away at the age of 40.

She herself left this world on July 6, 2008, remembered for her brilliant film roles and a lonely star in the sky—asteroid 4022 Nonna, discovered by the Crimean Observatory, bears her name. There were no official funeral announcements, but people somehow found out, came with flowers, stood and wept, and whispered lines from her films. Because Nonna Mordyukova was ours—not in the sense of power or ideology, but in the sense of soul, character, and truth.

Today, on the centenary of Mordyukova's birth, viewers of the Mosfilm. Golden Collection channel recalled her leading roles. In first place was the building manager, Varvara Sergeevna Plyushch (47%), followed by Maria from "Rodnya" (46%). And behind these numbers lies not ratings, but love. Because Nonna Viktorovna, like no one else, knew how to be authentic—as simple and relatable, yet monumental and solemn as the melody of a song about the Volga, powerfully performed by another folk favorite, Lyudmila Zykina.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: November 25, 2025.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On November 25, 1735, exactly 290 years ago, a miracle of Russian foundry art was completed in the Cannon Yard of the Moscow Kremlin: in 1 hour and 12 minutes, after 36 hours of continuous smelting, the Tsar Bell was cast in a ten-meter pit surrounded by four furnaces and guarded by 400 police officers with firefighting equipment.

A giant symbol of the era

The Tsar Bell is 6.24 meters high, 6.6 meters in diameter, and weighs 202 tons. Commissioned by Empress Anna Ioannovna, master craftsmen Ivan Motorin and his son Mikhail labored on it for two years. Ivan did not live to see the project completed; Mikhail took over, even requesting special permission to immortalize their names on the bell's surface. The Empress approved—in that era, this was a rare honor for a simple artisan.

Not only new metal was used for the casting, but also an old bell from the time of Boris Godunov. 525 kg of silver and 72 kg of gold were added to the copper-tin alloy—not for luxury, but to refine the future sound—and it was decorated with bas-reliefs: Christ the Savior, the Mother of God, John the Baptist, the Apostle Peter, and the Prophetess Anna. Among the saints, as a sign of continuity, were images of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and Anna Ioannovna herself.

Eternal dumbness

In 1737, as the future Moscow alarm bell was being prepared for its ascent to the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, a terrible fire broke out in the capital. Flames engulfed the wooden formwork surrounding the bell, and the metal glowed white-hot. To save the bell, it was doused with water, but the sudden temperature change caused a huge chunk weighing over 11 tons to break off from the surface. The bell fell back into the casting pit, where it remained for nearly a century. Only in 1836 was it removed and mounted on a pedestal—no longer as an instrument, but as a monument to the genius and ambitions of the era.

Over nearly three centuries, the Tsar Bell has endured many changes. For example, during the revolutionary years, the White Guards placed its image on their banknotes, earning these forgotten bills the affectionate nickname "little bells." And in 1941, its cavity housed the Kremlin Regiment's communications center, and the bell itself was camouflaged, along with the Kremlin churches and towers, to protect it from Nazi bombing.

And yet it sounds

Still the largest on the planet, the Tsar Bell is not just a museum exhibit, but a living symbol of Russia. It stands near the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and is open to the public with a ticket to the Moscow Kremlin Museum Complex (student discounts, by the way!). And although this gigantic instrument has never rung—no one even cast a clapper for it; the one next to it is borrowed from another—its sound can still be heard: in 2016, scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, simulated what it might have sounded like, and this virtual ringing is now available online.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: November 25, 2025.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.