Famous personalities

		Petr Tchaikovsky (25.04.1840-25.10.1893) – a Russian composer of the romantic period, whose works are among the most popular music in the classical repertoire. Born in Votkinsk, he was the first Russian composer whose music made a lasting impression internationally, bolstered by his appearances as a guest conductor in Europe and the United States. He was honored in 1884 by Emperor Alexander III, and awarded a lifetime pension. In the town of Votkinsk there is the Museum-Estate where the family of P. Tchaikovsky lived.
		Mikhail Kalashnikov (10.11.1919-23.12.2013) – an outstanding small arms designer, DSc in Engineering, Lieutenant-General. He is most famous for developing the AK-47 assault rifle and its modification, the AKM and AK-74, as well as the PK machine gun and RPK light machine gun. Kalashnikov was, according to himself, a self-taught tinkerer who combined innate mechanical skills with the study of weaponry to design arms that achieved battlefield ubiquity. Even though Kalashnikov felt sorrow at the weapons’ uncontrolled distribution, he took pride in his inventions and in their reputation for reliability, emphasizing that his rifle is «a weapon of defense» and «not a weapon for offense».
		Galina Kulakova (born on 29.04.1942) – a Soviet former cross-country skier, arguably the best skier on distances shorter than 10 km in the early 1970s. She is 4 times Olympic champion, 9 times World champion, World cup winner, 39 times Russian champion, Honored master of sports, Honored coach. For her achievements she was awarded Order of Lenin and Badge of Honor. She was also awarded the silver Olympic Order in 1984 by the International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch. Galina Kulakova ended her sports career in 1982.
		Nadezhda Durova (1783-1866) – the daughter of Andrei Durov, Governor of Sarapul. In 1806 she escaped from home dressed as a young horseman and took part in the Patriotic war against Napoleon under the name of Aleksandr Sokolov and later – Aleksandrov. She was the first lady – Russian officer, Commander of Saint George’s Cross and orderly of Field-Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov.
		Olga Knipper-Chekhova (21.09.1868-22.03-1959) – a famous Russian actress born in Glazov, People’s artist of Russia, wife of the famous Russian writer Anton Chekhov. She was one of the founders of Moscow Art Theater, among many other roles, she 600 times played Ranevskaya on stage in Chekhov’s play «The Cherry Orchard».

Дата: 19.04.2023