Russia: Dalzavod Celebrates 125th Anniversary

Dalzavod, oldest ship repair yard of the Russian Far East, commemorated its 125th anniversary with a series of celebrations on October 26. The recognition of best employees and honoring of veterans are traditional on this day. The major festivity was held by the memorial to Dalzavodians who died in World War II with wreaths laid.

“That’s how it goes—we always recall the names of the people who contributed to the company’s development. Many people of Dalzavod enlisted in the military service and sadly never came back,” Igor Ermakov, Director, said. “We deem it our duty on a holiday to remember the past and pay homage to them.”

On this day, the yard invites the people who have been with the company for many years and are its pride. Lyudmila Beloglazova, one of the oldest employees, started working for the company when she turned 15. She was accepted into a vocational school in Dalzavod. It so coincided that almost all the male students of her class went to war in 1941 and no one came back.

“During the war years I made piece parts for mines. In 1943 I was moved to the production of firing pins for grenades. It was considered the most difficult job but I managed and did twice the task,” Lyudmila recalls. “And after the war easier jobs were found for us, girls—with a typewriting office or an accounting department—but we didn’t part from the yard.”

A minute of silence and a 12-gun salute then honored the memory of the yard employees killed in the war.

The major part of the holiday took place on Saturday, October 27. On that day the Far Eastern Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Center presented to Vladivostokers its gift for the Dalzavod’s 125th anniversary—the Czarevitch’s Promenade.

Manufacturing facilities upgrade, work process optimization and elimination of redundant functions vacated some of the company’s site. The area was used to create a city recreation zone named after Nicholas II who as heir to the throne and a future tsar, travelled to Vladivostok. And the Dalzavod Ship Repair Center situated between the Circus bus stop and Lugovaya Square will remain the primary repair facility for the surface and subsurface diesel-electric fleet of Russia in the Pacific Ocean. These days the Ship Repair Center employs about 2.5 thousand staff and the company’s capacity is utilized at 100% under navy and commercial contracts.

“Just recently we all wondered if any life would exist after the Summit. Now the illustration is lovely—the life will be even better than before. Today here is a great family venue for recreation,” Ekaterina Khimich, Acting Head of Vladivostok, noted at the promenade’s opening.

The promenade is a single architectural ensemble combining sidewalks and bike paths, with decorative details embedded into the contextual environment, and historical buildings. The 19th century structures that are exceptionally valuable from the historical perspective for Vladivostok and the whole Russia, including seven monuments under government protection, were kept and renovated. Over 100 renovation professionals worked at their rehabilitation. They restored the external character of the buildings, many of which were rebuilt in the 20th century. To that end, a century old layer of grime and dirt had to be cleaned from every brick of the front.

More than 5 thousand citizens visited the opening. A festive program for them lasted through the whole evening. City vocal and dance groups performed onstage, and the kids evaluated the merit of the jungle gym in the shape of a large sailing ship.

For now the promenade is available only for walks but entertainment centers and a café will soon open.

[mappress]

Press Release, November 02, 2012; Image: dalzavod