Where, where? In Non-Moscow! The village of Shalava.
There are many unusual names on the map of the country: village Loch, farmstead Fun Life or a village Greedy peopleToday we'll talk about the village. Slut.
📍Where is it located? in the Yaroslavl regionThe village is just like any other village, with no more than 70 residents. Along the single street, you'll see not only well-maintained old houses, but also abandoned ones, as well as new ones. Street cats and dogs, chickens and roosters—everything is as it should be. Among the attractions is the "Slut" sign at the entrance, which attracts tourists like a magnet for selfies.
📍A couple of years ago, State Duma deputies proposed Allow the renaming of such "shameful" names—they say young people can't bear the shame and are leaving for the cities. A letter with such a request allegedly came from Shalava. Whether the letter actually existed is unknown, but the locals refused to rename their native village. Furthermore, reproached Authorities at all levels: if only they could improve the roads in rural areas, solve the power outages, and provide additional buses. Then fewer people would leave.
📍However, to say that everyone is delighted with the name of their small homeland would be an exaggeration.
"We went to the hospital in Yaroslavl. When I was filling out my card at the reception desk, they were so surprised to learn I was from Shalava. I felt uneasy."- complains one resident.
"Why change it? We've had Slut for so many years, let it stay Slut. What's the point? It feels like they're trying to make money off us because we'll have to do all the paperwork later.", - the other one retorts.
📍So, it was called Shalava, but it's unknown since when. In 1897, according to the census forms, the village already existed, with a population of 182. The village had 30 houses, three of which belonged to the Shalavin family—the name may have originated from their surname. Another version holds that the name came from a certain owner nicknamed Sh.аly. And the village was supposedly called Shalоwa.
📍There's still a lot of work for local historians, but it's already clear: the name has nothing to do with a dissolute lifestyle. And if the authorities don't think about improving the village's economy in the near future, it will become deserted. And Shalava will no longer be on the map of Russia, just as thousands of other settlements with more euphonious names have already vanished.
Photo: Alexey Sabelsky
