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Life under socialism in Mirny: Exploring everyday living conditions today

Highlighting the Advantages for ALROSA Workers and Residents of Mirny Calls for a Detailed 50-Page Guidebook

A comprehensive 50-page brochure outlining the advantages for ALROSA workers and Mirny locals is...
A comprehensive 50-page brochure outlining the advantages for ALROSA workers and Mirny locals is being produced.

Life under socialism in Mirny: Exploring everyday living conditions today

ALROSA Shifts Focus to People in New PR Strategy, Organizes 'Magnetic Mirny' Festival

YAKUTIA.INFO -- Mirny, a city in the Sakha (Yakutia) region, has seen a change in public relations (PR) strategy from the ALROSA diamond mining company. This strategy now places a greater emphasis on the people of Mirny, as diamonds have taken a secondary role.

The strategy shift is apparent in the "Magnetic Mirny" festival, held in Mirny, formerly known as "Magnetic ALROSA." This event, reminiscent of the winter send-offs' cultural events, attracted journalists and bloggers from Yakutsk. The goal was to divert attention from ALROSA's recent challenges and focus on the city's attractions.

Currently, the media are reporting on the ear, ski base, and concerts taking place in Mirny. However, the company is temporarily suspending mining operations at some unprofitable deposits. From April 1, mining activities in the Anabar River valley will be on hold, and from June 15, mining at the Verkhne-Munskoe deposit will be suspended.

"Yakutia.Info" shares its impressions of the trip to Mirny.

People and Mirny City

Today, Mirny's population stands at 34,000 people. Two decades ago, it was 40,000. The city's populace is gradually shrinking. For many, Mirny is just a working camp where they earn a living and subsequently leave.

The residents of Mirny, however, present a unique character. They exhibit an engineering mindset—nine out of ten city dwellers have some connection to the ALROSA company. Here, ALROSA is undoubtedly the dominant presence. The people are generally calm, confident, and open-hearted.

Nighttime walks in Mirny are safe due to the geometrically correct streets. However, encountering a passerby after ten o'clock is a rarity. Cars are also scarce at this hour. The city's residents are disciplined and preparing for the next day. Only "Dodo Pizza" and a couple of restaurants remain open. It's worth noting that the crime rate in Mirny is almost negligible. Walking around the city is an enjoyable experience. The air is cleaner than in Yakutsk.

The residents' assurance stems from ALROSA's generous social program, set to invest 8.5 billion rubles by 2024. The city boasts a socialist slogan: "100 rubles for any section." Interestingly, this isn't a joke—all sports sections cost a mere 100 rubles per month!

A detailed discussion of all ALROSA employees' and Mirny residents' benefits would require a separate 50-page brochure or a two-hour lecture, as Yakutsk's delegation discovered. "This is some kind of socialism!" exclaimed one journalist during the company's leadership briefing at the ski resort on the first day.

The ski resort is a source of pride for both the city and ALROSA. It offers winter sports, delicious food, and a comfortable climate, making it somewhat akin to a mini-Courchevel.

The residents of Mirny welcomed the visitors warmly and enthusiastically. They provided accommodations in top-notch hotels, guided the tourists around local attractions, and treated them to the finest restaurants.

During their final day, the Yakutsk delegation visited the ALROSA Medical Center, led by Elena Afraimovna Borisova—the same "COVID" Minister of Health. The center, nestled near the Mirny Central Regional Hospital, offers various treatments for employees and locals, including IV drips, a phytobar, baths, massages, and lymph drainage. The journalists tried out the procedures and were highly satisfied. Notably, a two-week treatment costs around 6-7,000 rubles. "Socialism again!" they exclaimed, comparing the cost to a single massage in Yakutsk. If you ever visit, be sure to consult with Gennady Borisovich Polulyakh, the most experienced manual therapist, who will tell you fascinating tales of your spine.

In summary, life and work in Mirny are comfortable, with the company providing for most major life needs. However, some might find the city's discipline and lack of certain diversions found in Yakutsk and other cities challenging. This unique environment has shaped the Mirnyans—they appreciate cosiness, tranquility, certainty, amenities, and good salaries and pensions. Their spirit remains lively, exuding efficient business acumen and determination.

Regarding interethnic relations, a spirit of Soviet internationalism is evident in Mirny, where Slavs, Yakuts, Buryats, Tatars, Bashkirs, Azerbaijanis, Armenians, and others coexist. The city houses a mosque and a Buddhist temple, with Russian being the primary language of communication, and Yakut also present in daily interactions. Concert performances showcase Asian girls in Russian costumes and vice versa, reflecting a harmonious blend of cultures.

Stay tuned for further updates on Mirny and its fascinating evolution under ALROSA's newest PR strategy and community-focused initiatives.

-- Tags: ALROSA, Mirny, festival, Mirninsky District, visit to Mirny, place of attraction, Yakutia's Depths, Magnetic Mirny.

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  1. The shift in ALROSA's PR strategy in Mirny places greater emphasis on people and the city's lifestyle, with events like the 'Magnetic Mirny' festival.
  2. The unique character of Mirny's residents, many of whom have a connection to ALROSA, is evident in their engineering mindset, calm demeanor, and open-heartedness.
  3. Nighttime walks in Mirny are safe due to the geometrically correct streets, but encounters with people after ten o'clock are rare, as the city's residents are disciplined and preparing for the next day.
  4. ALROSA's generous social program, set to invest 8.5 billion rubles by 2024, contributes to the residents' assurance and the city's cosiness.
  5. Sports in Mirny are affordable, with most sections costing only 100 rubles per month, making it a city that encourages personal growth and career development through sports.
  6. The ski resort in Mirny, a source of pride for both the city and ALROSA, offers winter sports, delicious food, and a comfortable climate, catering to the residents' desire for a mini-Courchevel experience.
  7. Mirny's interethnic relations echo a spirit of Soviet internationalism, with coexistence among Slavs, Yakuts, Buryats, Tatars, Bashkirs, Azerbaijanis, Armenians, and others, and the presence of both a mosque and a Buddhist temple.
  8. The city's focus on sustainable living is shown in the ALROSA Medical Center, which offers affordable treatments such as IV drips, phytobar, baths, massages, and lymph drainage, promoting overall health and wellness for the residents, emphasizing the importance of education and self-development in their lifestyle.

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