Above are a couple of quick views of Yoshkar-Ola circa 2008.

Last is a lide show of images that go back 50 years or so.

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One of Russia’s film pioneers hailed for Mari-El. Recognized for his role in the first Russian film with sound, Yvan was also a renowned poet. He disappeared from public view when he was reportedly imprisolned by the Soviets where he died.  While his life was short, Yuvan left a rich legacy of performances and writings.

Yuvan Kyrlya (real name Kirill Ivanovich Ivanov, 17 March 1909 — July 1943) was a Mari Soviet actor and poet, famous for his role of Mustafa Fert in the first Soviet sound film Road to Life (Putyovka v zhizn) (1931).

He was born into a poor peasant family. His father was killed by kulaks for his active participation in the Committee of poor peasants, so Yuvan’s mother was left alone with three kids. The boy lived in the village, worked as a farm labourer, a herdsman, and had to beg also.

He finished first stage school in Marisol and left for Sernur to go on studying at the second stage of school. In autumn of 1926 the Komsomol Committee of Mari Autonomous Region assigned him to study at workers’ courses in Kazan University. The teachers noticed his outstanding artistic gift and in summer 1929 gave him an assignment to the Actor’s Department of the State Cinematography School.

Among the students of ethnic studios Yuvan was invited to partake in crowd scenes during production of the first Soviet sound feature film Road to Life. After watching its first episode the film director Nikolai Ekk took notice of the young actor and appointed him to play the waifs’ leader Mustafa. So while studying at the Cinematography School Yuvan was engaged in the filming for about two years. Many of Mustafa’s phrases taken right from the surrounding life of common people became popular sayings.

After graduation the actor worked at the Vostokfilm Studio; in 1934—1936 he took part in filming of Buddha’s Vicar (by director Yevgeni Ivanov-Barkov), where he played the lama. During the shooting he lived in Mongolia with the rest of the crew. In 1937 Yuvan Kyrlya moved to Ioshkar Ola, the capital of Mari-El, to play in the Mari State Drama Theatre. (Russia IC)

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  4 minute music clip with slide show

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Here are a couple of videos of traditional Mari folk dances, intermixed with sights from around Yoshkar-Ola.

 Video 1 features traditional dances and music,

 Video 2 also includes slightly modern musical arrangements.

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In Yoshkar-Ola City, the capital of Mari-El, most people get around by trolley bus. The trolley bus is a common mode of transport in larger Russian cities. The system in Yoshkar-Ola is one of the youngest in Russia, beginning service in the 1970’s. The municipal trolley bus line operates 139 buses on 11 routes that transport 154,000 passengers on a daily basis. The fare is 6 rubles per ride. The bus system employs more than 1100 people in functions ranging from management to maintenance.

As a visiting westerner,the experience of traveling by trolley bus should not be missed. Trolley buses were common in American cities until the 1950’s when the private automobile began to displace them. The buses a typically very crowded, so don’t expect to find a seat. As in any crowded place there will be some risk of pickpockets, so exercise caution. Once you are on the bus, you’ll need to find the conductor who is usually an older woman and pay your fare. You’ll need to make a hasty exit at your stop, so it’s a good idea to try to move toward the exit door well before you arrive there. People can be very aggressive making their way on and off the bus, so don’t be shocked if you are pushed or have to a bit of pushing yourself. As with any “native” activity in Russia, it is always more safe and enjoyable to travel by trolley bus in the company of a Russian Friend or guide.

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