The writers who followed the roads of the Great Patriotic War left behind true novels and stories. Today, those who have visited Afghanistan share their impressions of their experiences. Oleg Ermakov took part in hostilities on the territory of this country.
Starting conditions
Among people who are engaged in literary work, there is a belief that a future writer needs to read a lot at an early age. This is not a universal rule, but many agree with it. Oleg Nikolaevich Ermakov called his first story, written in high school, "First Snow". The plot of the story is based on real events. Visiting hunters shot a moose, which was considered a domestic animal by local residents. Without fear, he approached people in search of food. The story, which was sent to the editorial office of the Yunyi Naturalist magazine, was not published, but Oleg had already developed an interest in literary work.
The future writer was born on February 20, 1961 in a simple Soviet family. Parents at that time lived in the famous city of Smolensk. My father worked at a sawmill. The mother was engaged in the upbringing of children in kindergarten. The child absorbed love for the harsh nature of his native places with his mother's milk. Oleg studied well at school. His favorite subjects were history and geography. From an early age, Ermakov was fond of local history. Together with my friends, I regularly went on educational hikes with an overnight campfire.
Literary creativity
After school, Ermakov did not begin to receive higher education. He, together with a friend, went to the shores of the legendary Baikal. Young people were recruited to the Barguzinsky Reserve. For two years, the aspiring writer was gathering inspiration in the "distant resinous land." I even managed to work as a journalist for a year and a half in one of the regional newspapers. In 1981, Oleg was drafted into the army. The soldier had to serve in artillery on the territory of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. There was a war going on here. The reality of hostilities made a deep impression on Private Ermakov. These impressions formed the basis of the novel "The Mark of the Beast" and the collection of stories "Return to Kandahar".
Returning from the combat zone, Ermakov settled in his hometown of Smolensk. For several years, Oleg Nikolaevich, figuratively speaking, spent all the time at his desk. The writer published his new works in the magazines "New World", "Neva", "Banner". His writing career was quite successful. Four years later he was accepted as a member of the Writers' Union. After that, novels and collections of stories began to appear as separate books. Readers spoke positively about the novels Song of the Tungus and the Svirel of the Universe.
Recognition and privacy
For the novel "Canvas" Oleg Ermakov received an award from the magazine "New World". The novels From the Other Side of the Tree and Around the World were shortlisted for the Russian Booker Prize. For the novel "Song of the Tungus" the writer was awarded a ticket to South Korea for two.
Ermakov's personal life turned out well. The writer is legally married. Husband and wife travel a lot together. And not only abroad, but also in his native Smolensk region.
