 |
«Rodniki» is a small but active and developed kin’s settlement in the picturesque region of the Republic of Udmurtia (Russia). It is surrounded by hills, forests, and ravines. The Osinovka River flows through the very center of the settlement — here is the source of the river that is fed by many springs. That is why the settlement received the name «Rodniki» (it means «springs»).
The history of the settlement begins in 2002, when an initiative group was assembled. The location of the settlement was not chosen by chance: several decades ago there was a village here. It became deserted and was liquidated in 1978. However, Alexandra Myasnikova, who lived in this village as a child, subsequently read books about the Ringing Cedars and was inspired by the idea of creating a kin’s settlement on this land. There were 20 people in the group of the first settlers. For a year they negotiated with the district administration to obtain permission to build houses here. On August 9, 2003, this permission was received. Since then, on August 9, «Rodniki» celebrates the settlement’s birthday. The first residents of «Rodniki» were, of course, Alexandra Myasnikova and her family — husband and son. They built their house in just one summer with the help of future neighbors. Throughout the first winter, future residents of the settlement regulary visited the Myasnikovs’ domain: they discussed plans, dreamed about the development of «Rodniki», sang songs... From the very foundation of the settlement, close ties were formed between all neighbors: more than friendly, almost family.
 |
Now 25 families live in the settlement, 16 houses have been built here, and active construction is underway at many plots, temporary houses have been built. Nature itself provides the inhabitants with water: there is the purest water from springs. And also two kin’s domains have their own wells dug. Half of the residents receive energy using solar panels, half use electric generators. The common areas have also been improved: a Creativity Center has been built, a large common pond has been dug, and now it is a favorite recreational spot for residents. Around the Creativity Center, the settlers planted cedar, birch, linden, and maple alleys, as well as a hedge of spruce and linden.
In the «Rodniki» settlement, all traditional holidays are celebrated on a grand scale: settlers begin to plan events in advance, in winter, for the whole year. The settlers themselves write scripts, new ones each time, and conduct rehearsals, so the holidays are always fun and interesting. There are also small but pleasant traditions: for example, every Saturday residents gather at the pond in the evening to discuss the affairs of the settlement, coordinate plans, or just chat, sing songs with a guitar...
 |
 |
