Candidate of Philological Sciences, Ob-Ugric Institute of Applied Researches and Development Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia [email protected]
Abstract. Yuvan Shestalov belongs to the whole cohort of outstanding writers of the North, whose creative careers began in Soviet times. The theme of the motherland and own people is actual and natural for the Mansi writer. Main attention in the story "Blue Wind of the Nomadism" (1964) is drawn to the life and work of reindeer herders. All reflections of the protagonist are penetrated by the thought about the future of reindeer herding and reindeer herders in the North, and the thought about the fate of his native people more deeply. The main character cannot reconcile with the fact that there is a lack of reindeer herders, and the reindeer moss, the main forage of deer, is catastrophically decreased. The problem of nature and proprietary attitude to it is one of burning topic in the story. The characters in the novel are divided into two groups: the characters which are closed within national way of life, and the characters who realize the importance of the historic turnaround in their destiny. This group includes members of the Komsomol and the national intelligentsia. They, like the protagonist, talks about the prejudices, superstitions and the belief in evil spirits, they re- joice at the oil and gas development in Siberia. Shestalov in a strongly pronounced form embodied all the specifics of national consciousness, spiritual life, culture and way of life of the people in the story. Speaking about his people, he artistically interprets its originality and simultaneous connection with the whole state, with the world history of mankind, with its culture.
Key words: Yuvan Shestalov, traditions, Mansi, image of the home, Mansi literature, "Blue Wind of the Nomadism".