Holidays in honor of representatives of the most sought-after professions appeared in the days of the Soviet Union. After 1990, in the large CIS countries, where there is developed ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, Metallurgist Days were legalized and enriched with new traditions. The governments of several post-Soviet republics have canceled this professional holiday.
Metallurg - it sounds proud
Were the days of the metallurgist hundreds of years ago? The story is silent. But it was precisely in the ancient states that this craft originated , which is akin to art. In the furnaces, the craftsmen smelted ore, received copper, bronze, cast iron, steel. The search for the “philosopher's stone” that can turn any mineral into gold has led to the emergence of new alloys and furnaces for their production. Recipes of ancient metallurgists still give rise to myths, for example, about the superiority of damask steel over modern steel products. The value of ferrous metals increased in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; for non-ferrous metals, the era of scientific and technological progress in the mid-twentieth century became a turning point.
In 1957, the Day of the Metallurgist was celebrated for the first time in the USSR. The time was difficult, the country has not yet fully recovered from the consequences of World War II. The state of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy was unstable during the years of the global economic crisis. Modernization and diversification was required in order for the industry to rise to a new step in its development.
Currently, Metallurgist Days are celebrated in the CIS countries, which have reserves of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, coking coal, and a developed industrial infrastructure. It:
- Russian Federation;
- The Republic of Kazakhstan;
- Ukraine;
- Republic of Belarus.
Whom do you congratulate on Metallurgist Days?
The nature of the work of metallurgists has changed significantly in recent decades. Blast furnaces are gradually disappearing, giving way to electric furnaces. Representatives of various professions (steelmakers, foundry workers, distributors, blacksmiths, welders and others) accept congratulations on Metallurgist Day. All employees of enterprises such as:
- mining and metallurgical plants;
- concentration plants producing concentrates and agglomerates;
- coke-chemical enterprises;
- blast-furnace and steel-making shops;
- non-ferrous metal plants and combines;
- Converting metallurgy plants;
- hardware plants;
- rolling shops.
How are Russian metallurgists honored?
In Russia, workers of metallurgical enterprises are congratulated annually on the third Sunday of July, and in July 20, 2014. On Days of the Metallurgist, the best by profession are awarded, and the title “Honored Metallurgist of the Russian Federation” is awarded. In cities where metallurgical plants operate, solemn events are held, at which they sum up, discuss the achievements and problems of the industry. The important thing is not the receipt of metals, but the release from them of high-quality machinery and equipment, goods for the population. In recent years, Metallurgist Day has been enriched with new interesting traditions. Celebration includes professional skills contests, concert performances, sports and family tournaments. At these events, words of gratitude go to the workers of the hottest industry. Metallurgists selflessly and courageously tame two elements - metal and fire, forcing them to serve people.