Kurostrov is an island not far from Arkhangelsk that is washed by the mighty streams of the Northen Dvina river. This secluded place is famous by the name of Ivan Vasilievich Lomonosov, famous scientist who was born here if 1711 and left it for Moscow in the age of 17, in 1728. Since then his portraits follow after every student from the schoolwalls across the whole the country. Speaking place branding terminology, Lomonosov is a local genius of the place. And it cerainly, does: here you can visit museum on Ivan Lomonosov, while startling at the northern nature and admiring the traditional bonecarving crafts. Bonecarver community is very strong here and it's difficult to decide who's more showed here: Lomonosov who left the place, or the bonecarver's community who stayed and prosper here. We had been asked to investigate that and help with activating Lomonosov's name after the request of Ministry of Culture of Arkhangelsk Oblast.

There wouldn't have been even an attempt to launch this project without the german spouses, who were involved into developing Lomonosov name both in Freiberg, Germany and in Russia (Lomonosov came to Fraiberg in the age of 28 for working and studing). The spouses already invested in the sportyard by the Lomonosovo school and were going to finance the whole project together with the Arkhangelsk governor administration. Discussions were held on the top level and we we eager to package the whole project for them.

But Kurostrov Island is worth visit, because of outstanding community who've created a Rovdina Gora project there. Nikolay Vymorkov and his wife, Polina, have respectively reconstructed the old holland mill, located next to Lomonosovo and find out ways to invite volunteers there. They are taking part in crowdfunding projects, winning federal grants. Musical and design festivals are held on the island and all because of Nikolay and Polina passion that resulted in true love to the territory.