Home is one’s birthplace, ratified by memory.

Henry Anatole Grunwald

Birthplace… this word means something special for every person. Some people think that the motherland is the country where a man was born; others think that it is a native town, village or even a home. But what combines all people is that the definition ‘birthplace’ is associated with something warm, bright and close. To my mind, the birthplace is at first my native village, where I have lived for all my life.

Russia is the biggest country and certainly the most beautiful and amazing country on Earth. You can find a lot of unknown villages, countrysides or other inhabited localities on the map. However, each of them is unique in its own way. As for me, I live in the Snovitsy village in the Vladimir region. My motherland has very rich and unusual history, which counts more than 500 years. There is a legend that Snovitsy was founded by Ivan IV the Terrible in 1552 in honour of the victory over Kazan khanate. During the aggressive campaign he was staying in that place and saw Mother of God in the dream, who predicted him the victory over the Tatars and the great glory. The monarch ordered to build a monastery there in gratitude for heavenly help. It was named as Snovitskiy because of the prophetic dream, and the church was named as Blagoveschenskaya because of the good news. That beautiful church is situated on the spectacular high hill. The church is surrounded by lush greenery of grass and trees in summer and by snow whiteness in winter. It is very exciting to enjoy the scenery view in autumn because leaves become very colourful and attractive; and the white church looks so different from this variety of colours. Each habitant has been in the wood that surrounds the church at least once. When you are there, your lungs are filled with the unforgettable smell of ripe forest berries; you don’t bother about the time and just enjoy freedom, the smell of lush grass, fresh wind, birds’ songs and spectacular view. I like to walk in the forest, to touch high mighty trunks of trees, to notice small mushrooms hats and to feel as if I am the part of nature. Anyway, the beauty of the grove leaves no one indifferent.

My village first of all is people who live there. The main characteristics of them have been dedication, courage and empathy for many years. In the times of the Second World War a lot of men protected our country from enemies. Women worked in the rear; they grew vegetables, made boots and knitted warm woolen socks. After the war my village began developing faster; my grandfather Koshelev A.N. was appointed collective farm chairman. A lot of houses and the school were built, the roads were paved and the living conditions became better due to my grandpa’s activity. I am very proud of my grandfather and his labour deeds. I am pleased that my family have played an important role in the development and history of Snovitsy.

Many talented people were born in Snovitsy. For example, P. V. Shmakov is an outstanding Russian scientist and inventor in the field of television and radio engineering. He is the ‘father’ of the Soviet television. One of the streets in my village was named in honour of that scientist; so, his deserts are known to everyone and his name will never be forgotten.

I love my birthplace; the best moments of my life are linked with this place. The brightest life experiences have been kept since my childhood and I am glad that my childhood was spent exactly in Snovitsy. Every street, every house, every familiar person evokes a feeling of love, love to the motherland. It is so pleasant to walk along the familiar streets, just see your home and close people again after the long absence. Motherland is the place where you would like to return again and again. No matter how good it is to live in another country, it is the greatest happiness to get home again. As Arab proverb says, the motherland is the dearest thing for a person in a foreign land. Love to your birthplace is a small part of the immense love to your country.

Тарасова Анна

11 «А» гуманитарный класс

Учитель: Саблина Л. М.

МБОУ «Лицей – интернат №1»

г. Владимир.