Albert

The young woman writer Zalpa Bersanova turns out books about the life of young people in Chechnya.

Her latest book out of print, "Procured Happiness", includes a tale of the same name and several stories. All are about contemporary young people in Chechnya, their everyday life, problems and, naturally, love. The cover carries the picture of a young girl in a wedding dress. The titles of the stories, like "A Girl with Diamond Eyes" or "Kids and Doves", clearly indicate what these stories are about. All leave the reader with a sensation of enlightened relief, despite being quite honest about the circumstances of wartime.

Procured Happiness by Zalpa Bersanova "Procured Happiness" is Bersanova'[s second published book. The first was "I Choose the Mountains", out in Moscow in 1997. Zalpa Bersanova is Candidate of Science in ethnology. Together with writing fiction, she is working on a doctoral thesis in her research field.

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Samian

I made a wikipedia article about her!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zalpa_Bersanova

naqarmoza

This is very good short overview with the main points of her story. May I ask how did you get involved in that?

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Samian

Thank you for the nice comments ))

I just think that there's such little information on prominent Chechens out there, so even Chechens themselves might lack role models in different arts and disciplines because they know just so little about them. Wikipedia, I think, is the easiest way to change those perceptions, don't you agree?

Plus, the whole world will now know more about the Chechen people this way (at least more than people like Kadyrov!) ))

Mister

You are right.
And I think its because an absolute majority of chechens are limited by russian language. Which means they are limited by one sided information and by prejudices that suites interests of Russian State. That also means a world can view chechens only through the russian eyes and chechens view world through it as well.
There is no direct flow of information.
For example if Russians say buildings in Moscow were blown out by chechens, the whole world would repeat it (even though in a modified form) no matter how reduculous and obvious the lie is to everybody.
But if chechens could have an independent access to the west they can counter balance this lies, or create their own lies about Russia.
So it would be harder to lie, and there would be fewer exuses to do evil.

Samian

I don't think the Kremlin would go as far to block Internet access to Chechens, so that information source will still be open to them))

And even if they did, as long as the Noxchi maintain faith and confidence, in their history, their national identity, and their limitless potential, there's nothing the Russians can do to stop them. =)

naqarmoza

I like your philosophy - I've never seen that in this light. But my question is more personal I guess. How do you know Zalpa? Have you met her personally? Or you've just read about her?

She was our neighbor in Chechnya before the war has started. She also stayed some time at my place during her visit in the states. Recently she got married and lives in Europe.

I would loved to have her as my professor. So much to learn about our own society. May be we should encourage her to teach independent studies.

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Allure and Vile

I've read her book " я выбираю горы"... ( i've cried, cried,cried

Samian

I wish I had met her. I only joined Chechnya Advocacy Network a few months ago, but I'll ask Almut about her.

That's really cool that you were her neighbor in Chechnya! Where do you live now? I grew up in Houston, but am in New Orleans now.

Oh, and it wasn't too hard finding info about her from Google search ))

Samian

I made a few revisions on her Wikipedia article btw. nagarmoza, you might consider looking at the Gazeta external link, the second one. Are you the American she discusses in the article?

Also, I should have a fully-functioning Wikipedia article on her father, Khozh-Ahkmed Bersanov, up within the next two days, and when I'm done I should be able to post a notice of it on this forum.

Perhaps you could then show these articles to Zalpa and ask her what she thinks? ))