Alexandra Ochirova: A poetess on the Silk Road with a philosophy torch

Alexandra Vasilievna (Photo by Vasily Maximov)

By Ashraf Aboul-Yazid
President, Asia Journalists Association

CAIRO: Alexandra Vasilievna Ochirova – poet, Soviet and Russian scientist, public and political figure, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Doctor of Philosophy, Lenin Komsomol Prize winner in Science, member of the Russian Writers’ Union, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Arts, co-president of the All-Russian Movement For Saving People.

Alexandra’s numerous awards include: Order of Friendship, medals “For Labor Valor” and “850th Anniversary of Moscow,” Acknowledgment of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Badge of Honor of the Governor of the Ryazan Region “For Faith and Virtue” and others.

Alexandra delivering a speech

Alexandra speaks of her ability to write poetry as a “gift from God.” She wrote her first poem, “Reed,” when she was 6 years old. Interestingly, Vladimir Migulya wrote the song “Reed Lullaby” to it. Today, 15 collections of Alexandra Ochirova’s works have been published, and more than 80 songs were written to her lyrics, which are performed by popular crooners Edita Piekha, Larissa Dolina, Vladimir Presnyakov and many others.

She is a member of the Russian Union of Writers, and has been an Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Arts since 2011, since 2015 has been a Silk Road Ambassador of the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC).

In 2006-2011, Alexandra  served as a member of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, Chairperson of the Commission on Social Development and Chairperson of the Commission on Social and Demographic Policy. She also was a Member of the Organizing Committee, and regularly participated in the International Women’s Summits, as well as the International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo, 1995) and the UN World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen, 1995).

Cover of the book featuring some of Alexandra’s poems translated into Arabic by Ashraf Aboul-Yazid

Next year, Arabic readers will have the opportunity to read Alexandra’s selected poems in Arabic translated by Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, to be published in the Silk Road Literature Series. The collection will be in Arabic, English and its original texts in Russian, as well.

Her previous book “Confession Flies Over the Domes…” was celebrated by Magnezit Cultural Center. The collection «Confession Flies Over the Domes…» was published in 2019 for Alexandra’s anniversary.

It opens with a poem by People’s artist of the RSFSR Valentin Gaft, who was a friend of the author and considered her “a person of many meanings who notices life and thinks simply and sharply.” The impression is illustrated with drawings by Zurab Tsereteli. The book includes poems about the homeland, love, family, morality, faith, poetry and poets, friends… It contains many themes, images, thoughts and feelings that excite the poet and melt hearts of readers and listeners.

“Where should I put a candle for Russia,” “Native speech, the great Russian world,” “I was born every time with silence,” “Like life the green grass,” “In memory of my grandmother,” “I just wanted to be – everywhere, in everything” – these and other lines were heard that evening in the performance of the author and guests of the meet-the-artist event.

The presentation was led by Andrei Yavnykh, a friend of the Ochirova family, a researcher of Alexandra’s work, Doctor of Philosophy, an author of books and the poetry collection. He noted that Alexandra is a multi-tasker: author of many legislative initiatives, scholar, mother, wife, friend, poet who weaves poetry like a tapestry.

She “writes them everywhere and very quickly – on the go, during flights, on the road”. Her handwriting is understood only by her husband, who deciphers and types it on the computer. Valery Nikolayevich has such an important mission. Alexandra Vasilievna’s husband is an outstanding man, a pilot, a combat veteran, a Hero of the Soviet Union.

Introducing Alexandra’s book in Magnezitovets (Photo by Vasily Maximov)

“I will begin with one of my favorite poems, which was included in the collection of selected writings, copies of which we will donate to the library. And in a month, thanks to the Magnezit Group, we will give Satka a large number of copies of Alexandra’s book – this decision was made here, during our visit” – said Andrei, read “What it was with me” and turned the floor over to the author.

“I want to thank you for being here, for loving poetry”, Alexandra told the audience. “Thank you, special people, for all that this city has to offer. I think that every thinking person who comes here would like to participate in the development of Satka, and I am no exception”, admitted Alexandra. She read several of her works and spoke about the 365 Poems project, which was launched on YouTube with the participation of prominent cultural figures.