Word

Do you know that there is a national treasure, its centuries-old essence — something that must be kept as a sacred gift, and in moments of danger, saved at any cost? In ancient times, the Kergians knew exactly what and how to protect, not sparing their lives. And this was preserved by our distant ancestors for us from century to century. Books — they are alive. Their pages will tell descendants about terrible and tragic events, about heroes, warriors, and sorcerers, about difficult choices. But who among us can read Old Russian to know the truth — how it all was? How Oleg the Red died, how Vladimir was baptized, how the French and Germans plundered, how people later gathered and preserved Russian relics? In the circle of life's trials, the heroes of the novel follow their calling, each to their own: some save the future — children, others save the past, gathering the ancient Word piece by piece. But what is more important and defenseless — the traditions of old or children? From whom should they be saved and hidden? We eagerly want to know the sacred, the secret — but are we worthy of it, since we did not preserve it? And what are we ready to do for the attainment of wisdom? In 1985, Sergei Alexeev's novel «Word» was awarded the Lenin Komsomol Prize.