Schoolgirl's wartime pilot tour wins national tourism award in Russia

Alina Mukui's emotional journey through a pilot's legacy transforms history into a tourist route. Could this inspire a new wave of heritage travel?

, and Administrator

2026 March 25 . 10:02 PM

1 min read

The image shows a Soviet propaganda poster with a man in a pilot's uniform, surrounded by... — The image shows a Soviet propaganda poster with a man in a pilot's uniform, surrounded by aircrafts. The poster has text written on it, likely providing information about the man and the aircrafts he is flying.

Schoolgirl's wartime pilot tour wins national tourism award in Russia

A schoolgirl from Bobrovsky has won third place in a major tourism competition for her project on a famous wartime pilot. Alina Mukui created a new tourist route honouring Grigory Rechkalov, a twice-decorated Hero of the Soviet Union. Her work was recognised at an awards ceremony in Moscow's 'Cosmonautics and Aviation' centre on VDNH. The competition, titled Tourism Code of My Country, City, Village, District – PRO-tourism, drew 565 entries from 75 regions across Russia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Mukui's video focused on Rechkalov's life and legacy, aiming to highlight the region's tourist potential while paying tribute to his heroism.

Grigory Andreyevich Rechkalov was born in 1920 in the village of Khudyakovo (now Zaykovo) and later studied in Bobrovsky. As a fighter pilot, he earned two *Gold Star* medals, the Order of Lenin, four Orders of the Red Banner, and other honours. Mukui's route includes key sites linked to his memory, such as the Alley of Heroes, the Alley of Glory, and the school named after him in Bobrovsky. Visitors can also explore the *Eternal Flame* memorial and the Museum of Labour and Military Glory. The project can be expanded to cover more locations, including Rechkalov's birthplace in Zaykovo, the Osoaviakhim pilot school in Aramil, and the *Wings of Victory* museum in Verkhnyaya Pyshma. Meanwhile, Bobrovsky is preparing for another nationwide event, *Entrance Stele – Tourism Manifest of Hospitality*, to further promote its heritage.

Mukui's third-place finish highlights the growing interest in historical tourism tied to local heroes. The new route offers visitors a structured way to explore Rechkalov's legacy across multiple sites. Organisers hope it will attract more tourists to the region while preserving the memory of his contributions.