Irina Chernega

Studied at Gubkin Russian State University Of Oil And Gas, specializing in Geology of Oil and Gas and at the French Institute of Petroleum, specializing in Economics and Management in the Oil and Gas Sphere, studied French language and culture at Sorbonne University, worked in Moscow in the structures of Gazflot, Lukoil, Schlumberger, since October 2016, is the head of the public museum at the Ostrozhka Leisure Center.

Quotes

• In making decisions, you should always rely on yourself, so the best advice is to listen to yourself.
• A humble path of your heart will lead you to a meaningful life in less time than the trodden path of other people's expectations.

My story

I was born in Perm, and my paternal grandparents, and over ten more generations of ancestors before them, lived in Ostrozhka. Every time I face difficulties to answer the question, why am I here. I had a rather logical career story when you conform to all the parameters for success. But against this external well-being, internal dissatisfaction with what was happening gradually grew.

I'm not a tough broad, it was not easy for me to move. At first, I left for Odessa with my son, but relations between our countries deteriorated and it became uncomfortable to be there. I didn't want to return to Moscow anymore, and the family house was empty in Ostrozhka. We handed over tickets to Odessa and bought up to Vereshchagino, bringing along the most necessary things in Ikea. Thus began our life in Ostrozhka. This decision was long-brewed, I waited for the external factors. On the one hand, it was scary how I could cope with all this new, but on the other hand, I saw how my ten-year-old dream came true. I didn't think about any roots, I was going for inner tranquility. The first year and a half I did not have an insight that we settled here for a long time.

Somehow, the Okhansk Library started to collect ideas for the development of tourism, and I saw there the meaning and potential. I joined the process, and I became actively interested in what might be of interest to the tourist: natural, cultural, newsworthy events. Gradually, I realized that it was necessary to raise external financing, to participate in projects, to apply for grants. Being a novice museum specialist, once I went to the Museum of Perm Antiquities in Perm to get acquainted with modern expositional approaches, and came across a whole exhibition about the excavations of that very trogonter elephant in the Okhansk region. Moreover, the presentation of the material underlined the fact that this is a very significant event in the world of paleontology, but in our territory at that time the excavations were known at the level of «someone somewhere digging something». I was very hooked on the topic, I wanted to develop this story in our territory, to draw attention to it.

Thus was born the project idea, which initially was an educational one, but later transformed to social and cultural activities. In July 2017, the project «Trogontherium elephant and all, all, all!» based on it became the winner of the III All-Russian competition «Cultural mosaic of small towns and villages» of the Timchenko Foundation. Thanks to the grant support and active participation of our partners, a large cycle of educational, cultural and social activities was implemented throughout the year. So, together with the Perm Local History Museum, we organized our own mini-expedition, excursion and classes at the Museum of Perm Antiquities. And with the Museum of Contemporary Art, PERMM we held an art residence in the Kazanka village, as a result of which the trogonter elephant became a full-fledged resident of the territory, made «warm» elephants at a family club meeting, immersed in the meanings of modern art during museum tours. And, of course, both of our main partners took an active part in the final event of the project, the Trogonterium Elephant Creation Festival. In carrying out public events, we were assisted by GRANI Center, the Territory Of Family welfare organization, Yunpress-Perm information agency, and other organizations and people who were not indifferent to our activities. In this area, we conducted high school students' gatherings, the motivational training, the seminar on youth design, the competition of welfare projects for schoolchildren, and the workshop for the young.

The project «Trogonterium elephant and all, all, all!» became a bright chapter in the history of the territory, brought new spice to its cultural and social life, helped to identify relevant areas for further activities and, of course, gave a wealth of experience and knowledge. Now there are plans to use them to continue the project initiatives, as well as to implement other territory development ideas.