Altai: The Lost Universe

Nevertheless, some enthusiasts started visiting the place during their summer vacations. Eventually they organized there an informal children summer camp that began to attract people from all over the Soviet Union. Discipline in the camp was tight; the children rose with the sun and led a healthy life, full of joy, with homemade food, entertainment in the open air and various tales about trees and birds. It is worth mentioning that the camp organizers were facing very strong resistance, the camp was burned down 18 times in the autumn and winter months. It was not until April 5, 1996 that the camp was officially recognized. From time to time various officials from different organizations haunted the camp, for instance, on August 2, 1999 they visited the camp and made an attempt to officially close it under the mask of children health concern. On that day all the kids climbed onto the roof of one of the houses with anti-communist slogans demanding the visitors to go away. The outcry produced an effect and the camp was left alone. Since then, the 2nd of August became a locally celebrated holiday in Poteryaevka.

In their efforts to develop the camp, the organizers managed to secure support of the Altai Krai governor and the Mayor of the city of Barnaul. They also managed to persuade the head of the Siberian Military Command to donate shelter tents. On their request, the local authorities supplied bricks and other construction materials. Thanks to the support of the Regional communications department and the director of the local telecommunications company, Poteryaevka got telephone communications.

The camp has been operating nearly two and a half decades. A lot of children wish to get there: the stream is never ending.

Now Poteryaevka represents a complex consisting of a functioning church, the camp itself, one school, one medical station, 16 permanent houses, 12 bathhouses, 12 wells and an electricity supply station. The villagers stick to the traditional values and lifestyle...

Misha Maslennikov 2008