The People of Norilsk Russia

Norilsk smelter operators drinking tea and discussing philosophy

The kindness of the people of Norilsk knows no boundaries

The people of Norilsk are saints not yet canonized. Long hours of work in nickel mines bring them a modest paycheck, most of which is donated to charity. If you ever decide to visit the city of Norilsk, there is no need to bring food or money. A Norilsk smelter operator would give his last potato to a hungry traveler.

Not a single criminal can be found here. Those who do arrive with a checkered past are so amazed by the kindness and beauty of Norilsk’s inhabitants that they themselves are set straight. Not a single act of crime has been committed within the last twenty years.

Apartment doors are never locked and during the summer months are left wide open. Residents of an apartment building are free to eat from each others refrigerator, sit on their couch and watch television. If a large sum of money is found under the occupant's mattress, it is free to be taken, then returned, or not, it doesn’t matter. Norilskites are not bothered by the trivial pursuit of wealth accumulation.

To the Westerner these feats of human kindness seem impossible, like something out of a science-fiction workers' utopia novel. In Norilsk it is reality. The people of Norilsk live on a higher plane of consciousness, one of boundless love and sharing.