In memoriam Grigory Musalyov (1940-2024)

Grigory Musalyov (Kshumantsyan Pirguzh, 19.11.1940-22.08.2024) was a leader of the Erzya national movement. He was born in the Republic of Mordovia, in the village of Staroye Kachayevo in the Bolshoyeignatovskoye (Pokshignadvele) district, which since 1993 bears the name of Tashto Kshumantsya. The name was given to the village on the initiative of Grigory Musalyov. He is the only person known to have succeeded in changing the name of the village from Russian into the national language in the Republic of Mordovia.

Grigory Musalev studied at Mordovia State University, graduating as a mathematician in 1967. After graduating, he stayed on to work there, where he taught mathematics and also worked as a programmer. His innate directness and principality were already apparent in higher education: a memory from the late 1980s shows Musaljov openly tearing up a letter of honour given to him by the university rector because he disagreed with what it said.

In 1989, he was one of the first Erzya nationalists to express concern about the situation of the Erzya language and the Russification of the nation. He stands out for his vehement rhetoric and radicalism, particularly for his dislike of the fact that people talk about Mordvins when in fact there is no Mordvin language. However, since there is no Mordvin language, are there Mordvins? There are Erzya and Moksha, the Mordvins are the Russified Erzya and Moksha. However, all attempts to create a common Mordvin language are, in his opinion, completely pointless. Musalyov was convinced of this and, of course, the position led to heated arguments. But Musalyov was not afraid of anyone or anything, he had an uncompromising combative nature combined with a strong physique: Musalyov was a multiple medallist in republican wrestling competitions in Greco-Roman wrestling and champion of the city of Saransk.

Erzya national movement

In 1992, after the sudden death of linguist and undisputed nationalist leader Dmitry Nadkin, the nationalist movement of Mordvins (Erzya and Moksha) began to split. Not only does the split become more radical (political goals) and more moderate (cultural and educational goals), but the Erzya separate. Grigory Musalyov became one of their main leaders and their inyazor (chief elder). In 1993, he founded the Foundation for the Salvation of the Erzya Language, and on his initiative, Erzya Language Day is celebrated on 16 April since 1994. The same year, the Foundation started publishing the newspaper Erzyan Mastor and Musalyov became deputy editor-in-chief.

The newspaper was published as an independent publication until 2019, being the last carrier of free speech of Finno-Ugric peoples in the Russian Federation. The newspaper boldly reported on the situation of the Finno-Ugric peoples, mercilessly criticising the state authorities and their discriminatory policies towards these small peoples. Lawsuits were repeatedly brought against the newspaper, both by vigilant readers and prosecutors. Time and again, the editorial staff was accused of inciting nationalism, extremism and national hatred. Strange as it may seem, the newspaper was not closed down despite five or six court cases.

In order to consolidate the nation, Grigory Musalyov initiated the national Erzya village worships (velen’ ozks) in 1990 and in 1999, the all-Erzya worship (ras’ken’ ozks). Today it has become a national holiday, just like the Erzya Language Day. Unfortunately, Musalyov did not rejoice in it, as he saw how the events he had organised were hijacked by the authorities and turned into a mess, erasing the national identity of the people and emphasising their Mordvin identity.

Inyazor

Grigory Musalyov was a proud, inflexible leader of the Erzya – the inyazor, as he was elected by the Assembly of the Elders of the Erzya People in 1999. Before Musalyov, the title was held by Purgaz, the leader of the Erzya who crushed the joint forces of the Russian princes in 1229. Musaljov felt obliged to erect a memorial to Purgaz, the leader of the Erzya, in Saransk and launched a series of fund-raising campaigns, which unfortunately failed. On the one hand, the authorities did not support the erection of such a monument and, on the other, he was deceived by a bankrupt investment fund. This troubled Grigory Musalyov and, of course, the local chauvinist press launched an avalanche of slanderous articles, which badly affected Grigory’s health.

In addition, there were numerous arrests, blackmail, apartment break-ins, assaults and threats to put him in the insane asylum. Constant surveillance by the FSB, sowing confusion among Musalyov’s circle of friends – this was Grigory Musalyov’s daily life. A life dedicated to the service of the Erzya nation and the never-ending fight for the Erzya language. Even at the age of 83, Grigory Musalyov was still considered dangerous by the authorities: in the autumn of 2023, his apartment was searched again, the Estonian flag was confiscated…

In 2014, the President of the Republic of Estonia awarded Grigory Musalyov with the Order of the Cross of the Terra Mariana of the Order of Merit V. The citation reads: for his contribution to the development of the Erzya language. Grigory Musalyov was a great friend of the Estonian people, one of the most active hosts of Estonians in Mordovia, who time and again proudly wore the badge of our country.

Musalyov will be buried in the cemetery of his home village.

Our condolences go to the loved ones of Grigory Musalyov and to all the Erzya.