The final round of the 13th Regional Humanities Olympiad "Umnitsy i Umniki" ("Clever Girls and Clever Boys") took place at Derzhavin University.
The judging panel (Areopagus) was chaired by Natalia Burashnikova, Chair of the Tambov Regional Court. The honorary guest of the event was Yuri Vyazemsky, creator and host of the National "Umnitsy i Umniki" Olympiad, writer, and head of the Department of World Literature and Culture at MGIMO University.
- Together with the Tambov Regional Government and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Tambov Region, Derzhavin University has once again hosted the regional finals of the now-traditional 'Umnitsy i Umniki' Olympiad, said Rector Pavel Moiseev. - The winners will go to Moscow, to Channel One, to meet Yuri Vyazemsky. Additionally, our regional finalists will receive Derzhavin grants covering full tuition at our university. This is how we help young people embark on a more profound journey toward knowledge.
This academic year, 135 applications have been submitted by school students from the Tambov Region. The Olympiad was held in several stages. The first round involved 108 participants (41 ninth-graders and 67 tenth-graders), who presented poster displays summarizing their research on one of three proposed topics:
· "Men of December 14th – A Gallery of Heroes: Marking the 200th Anniversary of the Decembrist Uprising"
· "Service to the Fatherland: The Chicherin Family in Russian and Tambov History"
· "That Long-Awaited Victory Day: Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War"
The semifinals featured agonists (active competitors) and theorists (supporting players), totaling 68 high school students. Participants demonstrated their knowledge in literature, history, and world art and culture. The semifinal marked the final stage for ninth-graders, with four winners earning non-competitive admission to the Derzhavin Lyceum in either the "Universal" or "Humanities" track.
Nine tenth-grade agonists – victors of the semifinals – competed in an oratory contest and intellectual challenges on the game’s iconic "paths." They were assisted by theorists, fellow players in the audience.
- Tambov students are intelligent, fascinating, and remarkable," remarked Yuri Vyazemsky. - In a critical moment, remind yourself: I am an 'umnitsa' (a clever one)! This speaks to your ability, your potential. Remember that you are talented. Even if you don’t succeed now, victory will come eventually. To those who stood out in the Olympiad, I always offer a chance to advance to the televised stage of 'Umnitsy i Umniki.' I look forward to welcoming Tambov’s brightest on the show.
After three agons, the Areopagus awarded victory to three tenth-graders:
· Fyodor Oleynichenko (Gavrilovka Secondary School No. 2)
· Danil Bukharov (Kotovsk Secondary School No. 3)
· Yelisey Bryunin (Morshansk Gymnasium)
All three will receive an additional 5 points toward admission to Derzhavin University and advance to the televised round of "Umnitsy i Umniki."
The absolute winner, the highest-scoring participant across all rounds was Fyodor Oleynichenko (Gavrilovka Secondary School No. 2), who was awarded a full-tuition grant to Derzhavin University.
- I’ve been competing in 'Umnitsy i Umniki' since ninth grade, shared Fyodor. - It’s an excellent opportunity to broaden my knowledge and, of course, a pathway to university. The Olympiad’s themes are quite extensive and require dedicated preparation. For the finals, I studied thoroughly reviewing history textbooks, watching documentaries, and using reading lists recommended by the organizers. Of the topics, the Decembrists resonated most with me. I’m fascinated by how the youth of that era prepared to transform Russia. But I also learned much about the Chicherin family. It turns out that they come from Tambov region. They made immense contributions to science and politics. The theme of the Great Victory is equally vital, especially now, on its 80th anniversary. We must remember and honor our ancestors’ feat in defending our country’s freedom and independence.
