Orenburg state university

Experience and Feel Russia

More than 100 people took part in educational action "All-Russian Geographical Dictation" regarding "My country — is Russia" on the 1^st of November where OSU became a local platform for this event.

— This experience was organized on initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This action makes everybody to ask a question: do I know country where I live and which I love? — Aleksandr Proskurin, OSU Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, addressed to the audience. — Geographical dictation is a unique chance to open our motherland again. I wish you to explore and feel Russia today.

The main part of participants consisted of students and pupils. But adults — representatives of different professions also came to check their knowledge. Many participants took the whole family to write a dictation.

The dictation lasted for 45 minutes. It was given 1 minute for answering the questions of the first block — geographical expressions; 2 minutes for the second block — knowing of country map; and 3 minutes for the third one — to recognize an object by abstract from a literary work. There were also 5 minutes to think about questions that were difficult for answering. Only after 20 minutes participants started to hand in their works.

— I agree with opinion that geography can become a spiritual bond that will join Russians, — housewife Anna Kalugina says. — Our country is multinational, was created for many centuries. Geography’ knowledge will help us to feel that we live in the united state.