Viktor Stepanovich Chernomyrdin Soviet and Russian statesman, politician and public diplomat, founder of Gazprom, left a significant mark in history.
It’s been 10 years since he has gone.But they say: “A man is alive as long as his memory is alive.” In tribute to his former leader and mentor, now the head of the Department of Education, Science and Culture of the Embassy of the Russian Federation (representative of Rossotrudnichestvo) in Turkmenistan, Evgeny Beloglazov, organized a memorial evening in Ashgabat dedicated to the life and work of Viktor Chernomyrdin.
Technological engineer by education, Viktor Stepanovich headed the Orenburg Gas Processing Plant at the age of 35, and in 1985 he became the Minister of Gas Industry of the USSR.
Under his leadership, the largest gas fields in Western Siberia and Turkmenistan were commissioned.In 1998, being the Prime Minister of Russia, Viktor Chernomyrdin came to Ashgabat for important negotiations on the settlement of the gas issue.
Years later, from conversations and stories, a book of Viktor Stepanovich’s memoirs was born “Time chose us.” The collection of memoirs published under the editorship of long-term assistant Yevgeny Beloglazov accurately conveys Chernomyrdin’s special language, with his apt phrases.
And this is not accidental, because many of Chernomyrdin’s statements went to the people, becoming aphorisms that did not require additional explanations.
For peacekeeping efforts and foreign policy activities, the candidacy of Viktor Stepanovich was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.And he did good not for the sake of awards and recognition, but at the call of a Cossack, noble soul.
It is impossible not to recall the story of the boy Andryusha from the Russian hinterland, who needed an urgent operation.The matter of life and death demanded urgent action.
Chernomyrdin responded to the requests of the grief-stricken mother with prompt help, and the boy was saved.
A few years later, the matured young man Andrei Strelnikov was invited to Moscow to meet with his savior. “I imagined that if it were not for this person, then I might no longer be alive, with a lump in my throat.
I couldn’t even tell him anything, I just hugged him and burst into tears.” The touching meeting made a deep impression on Viktor Stepanovich, who encouragingly patted the boy on the shoulder and said: “He will live a long time.”
On November 3, 2010, the life of Viktor Chernomyrdin was cut short.On these November days, he is remembered not only at home, but also in those parts where, on duty, he had to visit.
He did a lot for the development of the oil and gas industry, including in Turkmenistan.He was engaged in issues of trade and economic cooperation with the CIS countries, and until the end of his days remained true to his convictions: “We have one course the right one.”
A great admirer of music and literature, Viktor Stepanovich loved the work of Lyudmila Zykina.So, at the memorial evening in Ashgabat, the songs of Lyudmila Georgievna were performed by vocalist Maria Yunsal.
Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Vladimir Mkrtumov performed musical works of Russian composers on the piano.The evening of memory was summed up by the documentary film-testament about Viktor Chernomyrdin “Stepanych”.
Selbi CHARYYEVA