Preservation of National Traditions, Ethnicity and Mari Culture

Natalya Yamaeva works as a correspondent in the Mari editorial office of one of the popular regional TV channels. She is an anchorwoman, author of films, serious television projects and national programs. She believes that ethno-journalism is not only her vocation but also her hobby. "Work must please and bring both benefit and pleasure," is her basic principle.

Natalia graduated from the Faculty of History and Philology at Mari State University, and now she continues her studies at the Institute of National Culture and Intercultural Communication in the field of "Design and Implementation of Educational Programs in Native Languages".

One of the main achievements of this year for her was participation in the All-Russian competition of ethno-journalism "Mass Media Turner". The channel's project "Let's Read Together with Mama" was awarded in the category "Children's and Youth Media". This is not the first year the contest has been held at a fairly serious level, where both competition is high and participation is difficult.

NATALYA YAMAEVA

«It was cool, just a delight! I've won an award at a national contest, representing not only the TV channel but also our republic. It's impossible to describe in words! Just emotions and victory!»

Natalia said that the project "Let's read together with mom" has already been highly appreciated at the competition "Many faces of Russia" where it won the third place. The contest was held in Kazan. Second place and at the regional stage of "Mediaeval" in Cheboksary. Under the rules of the competition, runners-up cannot participate in the finals, but the jury was hooked and the project made the short list for the finals.

NATALYA YAMAEVA

«It was very exciting to be among the best journalists in the country, who keep national traditions and culture - it was a great honour for me.»

How did this program come about in the first place? Was there a specific idea or did it come spontaneously?

NATALYA YAMAEVA

«I think I wanted to do something like this after my daughter was born. I knew that I wanted to make a program in which my daughter would participate. When she was very young, something like this was hard to do. I prepared her gradually, she came with me to some shoots where Anya saw me working. When she turned six and a half, I realized that now was the right time to create such a project. That we would read fairy tales on camera and film them was a spontaneous idea. Let's give it a try - maybe it will work? And it worked. I think that the most popular television projects arise spontaneously, like a good idea that was brought to life and gave it a second breath.»

How are the preparations for the shoot with Anya going?

NATALYA YAMAEVA

«We study fairy tales, we go to libraries, we choose the most interesting ones - the ones that will hook the viewer, as this is our main task. The program is a family program, after all. Why do we preserve traditions and culture? Maybe because if children talk to their parents in the family in their native language, Mari, they will be interested in it. They will be interested not only in the language, but also in the Mari culture, customs, traditions. Mari El is their homeland. Mari folklore, dances, songs, fairy tales and legends are our wealth. Our task as journalists is to popularize it and to keep it alive. Anya is not afraid of the camera and she is absolutely free when we are shooting - it is part of the job of a journalist - to be as open and interested as possible»

Tell us about your career in journalism. How did it all start? Did you want to do it since childhood or was spontaneity your everything?

NATALYA YAMAEVA

«Spontaneity really is my everything, but it turned out differently with journalism. I have been interested in the work of correspondents since school, I wrote a lot and read quite serious works and poetry. By the fourth grade, I had learned Mari and was easily able to write essays in it. I was always interested in Mari culture and studied ethnography on my own. Then I studied at Mari State University, and then I worked in TV companies»

Natalya was the only one wearing a national costume, and that made a stir not only among the jury, but also among the guests and journalists.

NATALYA YAMAEVA

«I express my gratitude to Rodion Chuzaev, Director of the Institute of National Culture and Intercultural Communication. He is always helpful, always helps and encourages students who travel to other regions for various events to wear national costumes.»