Perm is situated on the Kama River in the very centre of Russia — near western slope of the Ural Mountains. It is the last millionaire city of Europe — or the first, if to look from the East.
As the majority of towns in the Urals, Perm owes its existence to the plant. In 1723, according to the decree of Peter I, in Yegoshikha village that belonged to Stroganovs Yegoshikhinsky Cooper Works were founded. This year is considered to be the official date of city foundation: in 2003 Perm celebrated its 180th anniversary. Its ancient name city received thanks to Catherine II in 1781: up to that moment Perm or Perm Province was the name of the whole Prikamye (Perm Territory). Origin of this word is unknown: according to one of the versions, it originated from Komi-Permyatsky word “parma”, that means taiga; according to the other, it originated from Finno-Ugric word “pera maa” — far land; according to the third, it originated from the name of ancient land Biarmiya, mentioned in the legends of Vikings.
Yegoshikha River exists at present: it runs along the broad gully that separates city centre and Motovilikhinsky District. Up to 1938 Motovilikha and Perm had been different towns with practically no communication. Building of metal bridge and tram-line in 1929 was a great event. This bridge connecting two banks of Yegoshikha at the place of its flowing to Kama still exists in Razgulyai, the oldest district of Perm. There one can find a monument of Perm founder Tatishchev V.N.
Historical centre of Perm is planned “more accurately than New-York: even, large blocks, straight and parallel orientation of streets are evident … to every newcomer and at the same time are the evidence of recent foundation of the town” (writer Melnikov-Pechorsky P.I., 1830). There are multiple signs of “artificial” creation of Perm, unlike ancient Russian towns, that have, for example, radial planning. Many travellers in XIX century considered Perm to be a dull town of officials. However, relative poorness of real history Perm always filled by rich mythology.
But first, let's speak about history. Our city is well-known first of all by its industry. In 1860s the entire world learned Perm Cannon Works. In 1868 a gun with 20-inch caliber was produced here. It weighted 2700 poods, i.e. it was 300 poods heavier than Kremlin Tsar-Gun. But unlike the Tsar-Gun, Perm gun was able to make 314 shots by 28-pood cannon-balls. Perm Cannon Works in Motovilikha were the largest manufacturers of artillery guns, gun-carriages and cannon-balls in Russia and Europe. They supplied our army during the First and the Second World Wars. At the entrance to Motovilikhinsky District famous gun “sorokapyatka” is placed, German gunmakers did not have anything like this gun.
Electric welding, that led to hitch in the world industry, was developed in Perm by Slavyanov N.G. Here the genious designers Shvetsov A.D. and Soloviev P.A. created aero-engines that determined the development of Soviet and world aviation for decades. Russian President aircraft is equipped with engines PS-90A that were produced at Perm Motors plant.
Practically all large Perm enterprises after Word War II worked for defense industry, that's why in
Unfortunately many tourist objects in Perm are connected with the fact that this region was always a place of exile. Here you can see a transit prison at Sibir Roadway (at present Puppet Theatre), a memorial board on the house, where lived before the execution the last Russian emperor Grand Prince Mikhail Romanov. Museum of Political Repression “Perm-36” was opened 10 years ago at the place of former Stalin camp.
Years of “red terror” will stay forever in Perm history and they created lots of legends. For example, building at Komsomolskaya square is known as Tower of Death and it is associated with dark legends about undercover men (chekists) activity in the 30s, despite the fact that it was built in the 50s. Also there were rumors in the city about the secret branch of “Perm metro”.
The other layer of city mythology is connected with so called “Perm Gods”. This unique collection of wooden sculpture — full-length images of Christ and saints, is a mixture of pagan faith of Perm peoples and recently propagated Orthodoxy. These sculptures (prohibited by official church authorities) were placed to special bays in churches, they received modest sacrifices, they were fed, their shoes were frequently changed as, according to the legend, gods were walking and shoes were worn out. According to the legend, they continue to walk in Perm Art Gallery, where this collection is stored from 1920s. Especially that the Gallery is situated in the former Savoir Transfiguration Cathedral.
Samples of Perm animal style, collected in archeological expeditions, are full of myths. Rich collections of metalware with distinctive decor are stored in the Hermitage and many museums of Perm Krai. Copper and bronze plaques, pendants, ponizkas (kind of decoration) concentrated in their laconic plastic conceptions about the world of legendary Chudskaya civilization. Chud, according to the legends, is a people that had lived in Perm the Great (Upper Prikamye) before Russians came, then they went to live under the ground. According to the opinion of scientists, Russians called “Chud (wonder) with white eyes” ancestors of Finno-Ugric peoples. At the samples of Perm animal style there are three layers — three worlds inhabited by bears, men-elks, birds with human guises, pangolins and warriors. Every of these items can be considered as ancient ritual text as they are very expressive and symbolic.
And at last, one more page of Perm mythology is connected with literary myths. Remark to the play of Chekhov A.P. “Three Sisters” (“action takes place in a town like Perm”) allowed Perm inhabitants to consider literary heroines as their compatriots. For a long period of time in Perm there was a house, known as the House of Three Sisters.
And it is the fact that Perm is a prototype of Yuryatin, where the action of novel “Doctor Zhivago” written by Pasternak B.L. takes place. In 1916 Pasternak lived near Perm. “This was one of the best periods of my life”, as he remembered later. Landscape of the Urals, unique atmosphere of factory town were reflected greatly in his work. In the story “Childhood of Lyuvers” all Perm toponymy is preserved: names of streets and outskirts. And in the novel “Doctor Zhivago” in the key places of the novel, such as City Library of Yuryatin, House With Figures it is possible to guess buildings that really exist: house of Smyshlyaev (City Library named by Pushkin at present) and mansion of Gribushin (House of Scientists at present). Priceless heritage of Boris Pasternak, connected with Perm, is still assimilating by local cultural environment. 2006 will be the year of Pasternak in Prikamye.
Perm is well-known thanks to Scottish geologist Roderic Murchison, who singled out in 1841 in Priuralye region new, not known earlier, rock mass, named him “Perm System” and respectively he singled out new geological period “Perm” (225-280 millions of years ago).
Everybody knows a saying “Permyak (Perm inhabitant) — salty ears”. Its origin is connected with salt-works in Vekhnekamye region (Upper Kama) that was developed in 17th-19th centuries. Workers carried sacks with salt on their shoulders and salt ate ears. Original monument of this image was opened recently near Prikamye Hotel: everyone can try on large bronze ears and make a photo.
Our famous compatriots are the inventor of radio Alexander Popov, writer Mikhail Osorgin, futurist and aviator Vasily Kamensky, impresario Sergey Dyagilev, ballet dancer Nadezhda Pavlova, actor Georgy Burkov, writer Leonid Yuzefovich.
Our famous cultural brands are the following. Perm ballet school appeared due to evacuation of Choreographic School from Leningrad to Perm and won recognition all over the world thanks to works of Sakharova L.P. And International Documentary Film Festival Flahertiana has no analogs in Russia in its aesthetic orientation.
In 2006 Perm was declared the Cultural Capital of Volga region.