ZYAB: the history of the worker's settlement from the perspective of its residents
Installation, 2022
The stories of former and current residents of Zyab (you can read what Zyab is below) were collected for the installation.
On the example of a Chelny district, you can see how unique and aesthetically pleasing the Russian province can be. To listen to the story, you need to open the window of the house "From Kaluga to Kamaz (Russian: Калуга — Камазу)." This house is unique; it was presented to Chelny by Kaluga residents. The house is located in Naberezhnye Chelny, Zyab, 16/12.
Here are the stories about different themes: the life of a plant of cellular concrete (Russian: ЗЯБ), Ryabinushka (Russian: Рябинушка), 17 complex (Russian: 17 комплекс), childhood, family, hooligans, Joyta (Russian: Джойта), BSMP (Russian: БСМП), morgue, etc.
On the example of a Chelny district, you can see how unique and aesthetically pleasing the Russian province can be. To listen to the story, you need to open the window of the house "From Kaluga to Kamaz (Russian: Калуга — Камазу)." This house is unique; it was presented to Chelny by Kaluga residents. The house is located in Naberezhnye Chelny, Zyab, 16/12.
Here are the stories about different themes: the life of a plant of cellular concrete (Russian: ЗЯБ), Ryabinushka (Russian: Рябинушка), 17 complex (Russian: 17 комплекс), childhood, family, hooligans, Joyta (Russian: Джойта), BSMP (Russian: БСМП), morgue, etc.
Photo: Daniil Shvedov
In the 60s, enthusiasts from all over the country came to Naberezhnye Chelny for the All-Union construction: the Kamaz plant and the newly-built city were in the news. First, the plant of cellular concrete or Zyab was constructed; all five-storied buildings in Naberezhnye Chelny are houses built with the help of this plant. The plant built houses for many cities in Russia; also, Ekibastuz in Kazakhstan is built with houses from Chelny.
At the same time, a workers' settlement was constructed with the plant. Houses, a secondary school, two stores, a bathhouse, and a kindergarten were built in a short time across the Chelninka River, practically on open ground. That is how the Zyab settlement, the industrial and cultural heritage of Chelny, appeared.
At the same time, a workers' settlement was constructed with the plant. Houses, a secondary school, two stores, a bathhouse, and a kindergarten were built in a short time across the Chelninka River, practically on open ground. That is how the Zyab settlement, the industrial and cultural heritage of Chelny, appeared.
Photo from the funds of the KAMAZ Museum
In the 60s, enthusiasts from all over the country came to Naberezhnye Chelny for the All-Union construction: the Kamaz plant and the newly-built city were in the news. First, the plant of cellular concrete or Zyab was constructed; all five-storied buildings in Naberezhnye Chelny are houses built with the help of this plant. The plant built houses for many cities in Russia; also, Ekibastuz in Kazakhstan is built with houses from Chelny.
At the same time, a workers' settlement was constructed with the plant. Houses, a secondary school, two stores, a bathhouse, and a kindergarten were built in a short time across the Chelninka River, practically on open ground. That is how the Zyab settlement, the industrial and cultural heritage of Chelny, appeared.
At the same time, a workers' settlement was constructed with the plant. Houses, a secondary school, two stores, a bathhouse, and a kindergarten were built in a short time across the Chelninka River, practically on open ground. That is how the Zyab settlement, the industrial and cultural heritage of Chelny, appeared.
Photo from the funds of the KAMAZ Museum
The URBANTATAR team conducted a series of studies and excursions to draw the attention of Chelny residents to the Zyab settlement. For each day of the project, a Zyab resident would tell people what it was like to spend their childhood in the house opposite the morgue or recall their father after work drinking beer with his colleagues in the street cafe Parus (Russian: Парус). The cafe is notable for its sign in the Tatar language: "Тәүлек әйләнәсендә эшләүче кафе" (update: last year the cafe was still there, but now it has been demolished).
That was how the need of the citizens in the reflection of the Soviet industrial past of the city was discovered. Former and current Zyab residents share their memories and thoughts. What is Zyab today? What is its future? And what is the aesthetics of life in the Russian province?
That was how the need of the citizens in the reflection of the Soviet industrial past of the city was discovered. Former and current Zyab residents share their memories and thoughts. What is Zyab today? What is its future? And what is the aesthetics of life in the Russian province?
Photo: Guzelya Ahmetgaraeva
Today the plant has been declared bankrupt, and typical apartment blocks will soon appear in its place. City activists (URBANTATAR, among them) are actively fighting to preserve the history of Zyab. It is important to inform future residents that they live in a unique place in the heart of Naberezhnye Chelny.
Following the news about the demolition, our team organized a photo shoot at Zyab to bring attention to the problem. And then, we organized a city workshop, which allowed us to talk to the developer.
Currently, activists from the Vne Kompleksa (Russian: Вне комплекса) team, together with the developer, are having cultural events at the plant to understand the potential of the territory.
Following the news about the demolition, our team organized a photo shoot at Zyab to bring attention to the problem. And then, we organized a city workshop, which allowed us to talk to the developer.
Currently, activists from the Vne Kompleksa (Russian: Вне комплекса) team, together with the developer, are having cultural events at the plant to understand the potential of the territory.
*Meta Platforms Inc. is considered an extremist organization on the territory of the Russian Federation