The personality in the history of Kobrin

Kobrin → Outstanding persons → Alexey Mikhaylovich Martynov

On November 15 - the 5th anniversary of death of the outstanding cultural figure Kobrin Alexey Mikhaylovich Martynov. In August of the current year the 100 anniversary since the birth of Alexey Mikhaylovich was marked by opening of a memorial board on the house in which lived and this worked legendary for us, kobrinchan, the person.

Martynov during excursion (of course, with a pointer)

He was born at the beginning of the last century in a family of the national teacher, early lost the father and since young years learned burdens of life. The education got in youth did not suit the young talented man, but the strained circumstances did not allow to come to a higher educational institution. To have a daily bread Alexey had to work, help hard physically mother and younger children with a family. Inquisitive mind and thirst of knowledge brought him to a way of self-education. Fully using the abilities given by the nature, Alexey Martynov learned 5 languages and mastered Esperanto. With ecstasy he read classics of the Russian and world literature. A. M. Martynov's hobby for literature poured out in a row his own stories and the story "Lord of the World" which reflected philosophical outlook of the author and also made Alexey Mikhaylovich the addressee of the famous Russian writers and publishers: Mikhail Artsybashev, Mark Aldanov, Mikhail Osorgin, Ivan Bunin who advised the young man seriously to be engaged in literature.

The fruitful and self-sacrificing way of service to Kobrin, his contemporaries and future generations began with the organization of a communication service and creation of city library during reunion of the Western Belarus and BSSR for A. M. Martynov. During the Great Patriotic War, being coherent guerrilla group, on the instructions of a staff of army it designated an arrangement of enemy earth-and-timber emplacements, anti-tank ditches and military connections on Kobrin's card.

In August, 1946 Alexey Mikhaylovich was appointed the director of the military and historical museum. This event affected the course of historical and cultural development of our city. The authorities disposed to arrange the museum in the house where there lived the generalissimo Suvorov. By then the building came to perfect worthlessness, and Martynov as the director had to start his restoration literally from scratch: From Alexey Mikhaylovich's biography the set of the interesting facts indicating with what love and responsibility he treated work in the museum is known. For example, Martynov personally brought kernels of guns of Suvorov times from Izmail in the suitcases, in the same way delivered from Leningrad the weapon of the 18th century for replenishment of museum pieces.

Including occupation by museum business by high aim of all life, Alexey Mikhaylovich continued self-education also here, visiting the Hermitage, the Tretyakov gallery, Louvre and other largest world cultural centers. More than 150 cities of the world were visited by Martynov for the life, collecting exhibits for the museum. And every time, having plunged into the special atmosphere of masterpieces and values, it with even big awe and attention belonged to everything that made history and native Kobrin's culture. Here striking example of the true patriotism: he did not go to glorify the talent and mind other cities though it was quite worthy capital heights. On particles the collected facts, events, legends and memoirs made a basis of its numerous articles and sketches about Kobrin.

Well understanding that development of city culture is based not only on one museum, Alexey Mikhaylovich lifted work of society of protection of historical and cultural monuments on due level, and in 1948 convinced the authorities to base in Kobrin a recreation park of Suvorov. Two busts and a monument to the great commander were established in the city also thanks to A. M. Martynov's efforts.

Surprising loadings were maintained by its organism. Being already a 90-year-old old man, he suddenly got sick with tuberculosis, but could recover absolutely independently by means of starvation. Alexey Mikhaylovich seriously did swimming, and the bicycle remained a favourite vehicle until the end of its days. Strength of mind of this person always got the best of weaknesses of a body. According to statements of the family and Alexey Mikhaylovich's friends, he did not afford any excesses neither in food, nor in comfort of accommodation. Perhaps, only to books he felt passion, calling the library a treasury. Thanks to it, Martynov constantly was engaged in work, even after the retirement in 74 years.

Being entirely absorbed business, Alexey Mikhaylovich suited the family life late enough. At the age of 47 years he married Lidiya Petrovna Rafalovich, and in this marriage the daughter Maria was born.

The kindest person, the big intellectual, deeply decent, with a subtle humour and a delicate taste, Alexey Mikhaylovich had one more invaluable gift - modesty. His inspired person always exhaled such shower purity and mildness what is inherent in true wise men.

Victoria Verzhbitskaya

Verzhbitskaya, V. Lichnost in the history Kobrin / Victoria Verzhbitskaya//Kobrin-inform. – 2004. – November 11. – Page 3.



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