In memoriam Maria Voldina (1936-2026)

The first Khanty poetess and female journalist, Maria Voldina (Vagatova, 28 December 1936 – 15 February 2026), has passed away. She devoted her entire life to indigenous peoples, especially the Ob-Ugric peoples. She wrote a textbook on the Khanty language for teacher training colleges, and her stories and poems are included in all Khanty literature and language textbooks. She also wrote books in both Khanty and Russian. Maria Voldina was a member of both the Russian Union of Journalists and the Union of Writers.

Maria Voldina was one of the founders of the first Khanty folk ensembles Arang and Ešak nai, as well as the founder of a school of folk traditions. She created many Khanty dances that are still performed today in kindergartens, schools, and on large stages. In 1975, on her initiative, the first album of songs in the Khanty language was recorded. She also directed the first puppet theater play based on Khanty fairy tales.

Maria Voldina’s knowledge of the folk culture of local peoples, especially the Khanty, was very deep, even described as encyclopedic. Therefore, it was also a treasure trove for many research institutions and scientists.

Biography

Voldina was born on the banks of the Kuryokh River, not far from the village of Yuilski in the Beloyarsky District, into a family of reindeer herders, where 11 other children grew up alongside Maria. The family was a true bearer of Khanty traditions, telling fairy tales and singing songs. Maria graduated from the Khanty-Mansiysk Pedagogical School in 1955 and the A. I. Herzen Leningrad Pedagogical Institute in 1971. She worked as a primary school teacher at the Kazym 8-class school from 1955 to 1968.

In 1971, she began working at the district newspaper Leninskaya Pravda, where she edited the literature page. In 1974, she was appointed editor of the Khanty-language newspaper Lenin pant huvat, and when this newspaper was merged in 1991 with the Khanty-language newspaper Khanty yasang and the Mansi-language newspaper Luima seripos to form a joint publication, Maria Voldina became its editor-in-chief, a position she held until her retirement in 2002.

Societal activity

Maria Voldina was very active in society and was repeatedly elected to various village and district councils. In addition, she held various positions in the CPSU system, where she was responsible for the party’s work on health, culture, and family issues. In the 1990s, she was actively involved in the formation of indigenous peoples’ organisations, such as the Committee for the Salvation of Yugra. She was also elected to the Council of Elders of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District. Unfortunately, however, Voldina also signed a letter in 2022 supporting Russian President Putin’s decision to start a war in Ukraine.

She has been awarded orders and medals of the Russian Federation and the USSR, as well as prizes, and has received several honorary titles.

Maria Voldina was, in a way, the representative of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. She took part in almost all Finno-Ugric peoples’ congresses and other forums. A small, gray-haired woman, she suddenly became very large when she stepped up to the podium. She always greeted people in the Khanty language and often read her poems at these major events. In her speeches, she repeatedly emphasised the need for co-operation between Finno-Ugric peoples, actively participating in the work of the Association of Finno-Ugric Literatures herself.

She was naturally hospitable and friendly, and took good care of Estonian visitors — that is how we will remember her.

Fenno-Ugria Foundation