Elena Poddubnaya
UkraineBiography of Elena Poddubnaya
Elena Poddubnaya - a charming, graceful blonde with admirable organizational experience and a teaching background in Donetsk, has become the director of "Artek" in a challenging period - after economic shocks and dirty scandals. She has the task of restoring the camp's reputation and enhancing its fame - "I was appointed the General Director of 'Artek' one day before the start of the summer season. So, I had to get involved in the work 'on the go'," says Elena Vladimirovna. "By Order number one, I have determined measures to consolidate the staff and ensure stability in the work of the 'Artek' team. I offered all professional employees who feel the strength and desire to continue working productively for the benefit of 'Artek,' to stay. I intend to make decisions on the candidates for managerial positions in the near future. I have had meetings with employees of some departments and divisions, with members of the trade union committee, and the veterans council of 'Artek.' And there will be many more such meetings. I am open to all center employees and hope for the same openness towards me. The main task in the near future is the successful implementation of a number of festival programs and the overall summer health season. I have to delve into everything, study the documentation and the state of affairs that I inherited. My working day literally starts at dawn and ends at dusk. But I must note that despite these force majeure circumstances, the International Children's Center is fully prepared for the summer season. Despite the economic difficulties in the country, we observe a high demand for children's vacations in all 'Artek' camps. A huge number of parents want to buy a vacation package for their children in the center. Currently, more than 3,600 children are resting with us. 'Artek' is filled to 100%. Are the vacation packages not too expensive?
- I cannot influence that at the moment, but I will strive to restore the good old tradition that we started to forget in the new market conditions. It is the free reward for the best children - a vacation package to 'Artek.' Traditions and symbols of the Soviet past were not highly favored, especially in the last five years. According to the employees of 'Artek,' Katerina Yushchenko did not like the monument to Krupskaya, and her husband was annoyed by the "giant Lenin"...
- 'Artek' is not just a huge children's center; it is part of the country's history. Here, the past and present are harmoniously intertwined with the future of the country. We have the world's first space museum, founded by Yuri Gagarin himself! Yes, and 'Artek' is home to the world's largest monument to Lenin. It is the only children's center of such scale in the world under the auspices of UNESCO. 'Artek' has been awarded orders, medals, and honorary diplomas. A large number of monuments, memorial signs, and sculptures from the Soviet and post-Soviet era decorate the territory of 'Artek.' I see no compelling reasons for drastic changes in the appearance of 'Artek' - a unique children's center with its own culture, history, and beautiful traditions that should be maintained and expanded. Last year, there were proposals to transfer 'Artek' to the Ministry of Family, Youth, and Sports...
- 'Artek' is the number one children's center in Ukraine. From the perspective of being a state enterprise, it seems completely logical to me that management remains under the administration of the country's top executive - the President of Ukraine. And this will help us preserve and strengthen the integrity of the International Children's Center because ideas have already been raised to transfer some of the camps. But that would mean not only losing them but also the entire 'Artek' as a whole. I will make maximum efforts to ensure that this never happens. What were you doing before your appointment to 'Artek'?
- I have been working with children from various social backgrounds almost all my life. Starting from a general education school, I later worked in a boarding school for orphaned children. Currently, I am engaged in charity work and organize nationwide events for talented orphaned children, leading the All-Ukrainian Charitable Foundation "Happy Hands." Many talented children receive a chance in life from me through the Institute of Creativity, which I participated in creating. We have children from ages 3 to 17. Even the smallest ones we call students. They are taught acting skills, vocal training, etiquette, foreign languages, and public speaking by masters such as Olga Sumskaya, Bogdan Stupka, Ostap Stupka, Masha Efrosinina, Svetlana Leonova, Vladimir Danilets, and Vladimir Moiseenko. Mikhail Voronin and Diana Dorozhkina introduce them to the art of design. The institute prepares future journalists, actors, hosts, singers, and choreographers. Cuban dance classes are taught to children and their parents by Yoki Rodriguez. In an environment of free communication, in a creative atmosphere, every child has the opportunity to reveal their individuality and talent and find themselves in their future life.
