Back in the USS-Oor
TENSIONS may be running high between theWest and Russia over Ukraine, but one unlikely character is bridging the gap in international relations – Oor Wullie! joint activities with them.
“We posted them details of Robert Burns and they told us about their writer Pushkin. It seemed a very natural step to tell them about another great Scottish hero – Oor Wullie.
“We thought it was a real slice of Scottish culture and after that they found out lots more about Oor Wullie on websites.”
“Funnily enough I also sent them a Broons notebook, but that didn’t seem to have been such a big hit with them. I think the simplicity of Oor Wullie – a single character who gets into some escapades appeals to them a little more and is probably easier to understand.
“They also re la ted Oo r Wullie to one of their Russian folklore characters.”
Nataliya Vasilieva, an English teacher in School 57, was enthusiastic about Comrade Wullie from the outset. She said: “My pupils love Oor Wullie and all the mischief he gets up to.
“Of course he also has many interesting accessories – the porridge, dungarees, a bucket, a mouse and spiky hair, which all add to the vocabulary sophistication of our pupils.
“We love to learn of Scottish culture through such exchanges.”
Novouralsk has a population of 85,522 and was formerly known as Sverdlovsk- 44. Although it came into being during the Second World Wa r and was named Novouralsk in 1954, it was kept secret until 1994. It has had closed city status since its establishment.
Closed cities are not on any maps, except classified ones. There are no road signs or similar designations for closed cities, and they are omitted from rail time tables.
Novouralsk is the location of the Ural Electro Chemical Plant, which is involved in uranium enrichment and the development of centrifuge technology, as well as the manufacture of instruments and industrial systems for the nuclear industry.
It has 22 schools, two cultural centres, three libraries, a children’s arts school and a children’s musical school, two cinemas, a museum and an amusement park.
Ally Budge added: “I think t he Russi a n school’s interest in Oor Wullie proves the theme of a happy, slightly mischievous boy is recognised and creates interest in cultures very different from our own. Oor Wullie and his adventures are a common theme of humanity.”
School 57 sent gifts to Scotland.