Blagodatnaya Polyana

This settlement was founded on June 2nd, 2002. It is 17 km from the city of Birsk, in the Republic of Bashkortostan. People were inspired by the lifestyle and communion with nature described by ‘Anastasia’ of Vladimir Nikolayevich Megre’s "Ringing Cedars of Russia" book series. By evoking life-affirming images, Megre invites us to join in the creative process of self-sufficiency for your family and the creation of a space of love for family and homeland.

About a hundred readers of Vladimir Megre’s books, including teachers, doctors, workers, and housewives, decided to take responsibility for a piece of countryside and decorate it like an artist paints a picture. They filled the homestead with flowers, a variety of trees and shrubs, glades, a small lake, a vegetable garden, and a house with all the facilities for families to live in. 

Suddenly, we had our land! The Southwestern slopes are surrounded on three sides by deciduous forest, interspersed with plantations of cedar, larch, spruce and pine. The river Atyshka flows through the forest,and is home to a population of grayling. There are several springs with crystal clear water, and two lakes – Zhuravlinoe and Lebedinoe –  which evaporate in summer.  There are a lot of berries, nuts, herbs and mushrooms. The beautiful, deep and fast-flowing river Bir’ is not far from the settlement (approximately 2 km).

In 2012 we were granted permission to rent 181.3 hectares of agricultural land for 49 years, under the official entity “Consumer Cooperative ‘Blagodatnaya Polyana’”. Now, 36 families reside within a territory of 77 hectares. The remaining 104.3 hectares are waiting to be occupied by lovely people! The land has been depleted by extensive agriculture which yielded unprofitable harvests. After the disintegration of the farm, it was handed over to us. We focus on harmonious interaction with nature and with each other, on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and on organic farming practise. In the long winter evenings, we master a new craft, like basket weaving, ceramics, painting on wood, landscape design, or we study traditional celebrations and rites. 

Together we have created a park with ornamental plantations, a 10- acre long man-made lake, a shallow well and a garden.

Our goals correspond with projects of national concern, such as:

• the revitalization and improvement of rural areas
• increasing the birth rate
• reviving traditional crafts and Russian cultural heritage
• the development and revival of derelict and abandoned lands and villages
• the strengthening of family institutions
• the conservation and augmentation of natural heritage of Russia.

From 1968 to 2010, 35 settlements ceased to exist in the Birsky district. Ancestral homesteads were abandoned forever. For many families this is a tragedy.

We are sending out an invitation to all sensitive, creative, hard-working and caring individuals to collaborate with us on the “Blagodatnaya Polyana” project.



Blagodatnaya Polyana, the Republic of Bashkortostan