Verkhnechonskneftegaz Finances Publication of Fairy Tales Book in the Evenki Language

With the support of Verkhnechonskneftegaz (part of Rosneft’s oil and gas block), a collection of Evenki stories for primary and secondary school children has been published. The book will help schoolchildren learn about Evenki culture and language.

Supporting the indigenous minorities of the North to preserve their national culture, traditional way of life and improve their living conditions is one of the main areas of Rosneft’s social activities. The Company’s enterprises implement various social projects in their regions of operation, developing infrastructure in northern villages, supporting reindeer herding families, and improving the material and technical base of educational institutions and social and medical facilities in the ancestral homelands of indigenous minorities.

The collection is based on Evenki legends and folklore. As well as entertaining stories, the book contains interactive exercises: children are invited to answer questions, discuss the actions of the characters and learn new words. The new book has already been delivered to the five districts of the Irkutsk region where Evenki children study.

«Evenki Tales» is not the only book supported by the oil company. Previous publications include a unique book on the study of the culture of the small Evenki people, an ABC book «Evenkiya: from A to Z», a collection of stories in Evenki and Russian, the first digital Evenki-Russian dictionary and a topical dictionary based on the Evenki dialect of the Katanga district.

VCNG operates in the Evenki area of the Katanga district, Irkutsk region. Over the years, a strong partnership has developed between the indigenous people and the land users. The VCNG assists communities with the purchase of fuel and lubricants, passports, communications equipment, household items and traditional livelihoods. With the enterprise’s support, workshops are being set up to produce Evenki clothing, ceremonial items and jewellery, and national festivals are being held. VCNG contributes to the activities of community organisations of indigenous minorities of the North.

The projects supported by the oil industry are of practical importance in preserving the national language, the fluency of which is statistically declining. Experts believe it is necessary to take time to record living Evenki texts and develop recommendations for preserving the Evenki language in the modern world.

Rosneft
Information Division
 April 14, 2023