National Association of Russian Explorers
Encyclopedia
The National Association of Russian Explorers (NORR; in Russian
: Национальная Организация Русских Разведчиков, Natsional'naya Organizatsiya Russkih Razvedchikov, НОРР) is a youth organization founded by former Russian Scout
Pavel Nikolaevich Bogdanovich, a White emigre
and veteran of the Russian Imperial army, in the late 1920s after leaving the National Organization of Russian Scouts of Colonel Oleg Pantyukhov
. Also the name National Organisation of Russian Pathfinders was used.
After failing to achieve the recognition of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
in London
, NORR abandoned the title "Scout", favoring the term "pathfinder". It reoriented its symbolism and traditions on Russian imperial military tradition, taking particular inspiration from tsar Peter the Great's poteshniye (childhood friends of Peter who later formed his most loyal Semyonovskiy and Preobrazhenskiy guard regiments), while retaining several Scout traditions.
NORR's militaristic focus (strongest prior to the war) was aimed at preparing the youth for potential military action against the USSR in the case of a "spring campaign" of liberation, similar to émigré organizations such as ROVS. The organization continued many military traditions after the war (i.e. marching drills) for cultural reasons, but gradually abandoned military training and preparation. As did many White emigre
youth organizations, NORR focused on teaching children Russian history, pre-revolutionary Russian culture (songs, dances), and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
In 1936 N.O.R.R. joined the N.T.S., an émigré Russian political movement.
NORR, like other Russian youth organizations, aimed at fighting against the assimilation
of Russians, as per Bogdanovich's words (from an article titled "Paths of Work", printed in "Chasovoi", 1933 issue 114-115):
Concerning patriotism, at the moment the Russian instructor has before him tasks that are more infinitely complicated and difficult than any of his foreign colleagues. The exclusive situation that all us Russians find ourselves in has called out a cruel enemy of the Russian youth - denationalization. One of the most exceptional patriots of his country, Marshal Foch
, constantly repeated that nations of people die when they lose their memory. A peoples' memory is made of the study of exceptional occurrences and heroes of their country, pondering the givens of the peoples' experiences.
Prior to World War II
the organization had its strongest chapters in Bulgaria
(600 members counted in 1938) and France
. In 1938 there were 12.000 members in Europe.
Chapters were also active in the Far East
and Morocco
.
During World War II N.O.R.R. was still active in German occupied countries including France, while the activities of the National Organization of Russian Scouts and other Russian émigré youth movements where banned.
N.O.R.R. encouraged its members to join the Russian Liberation Army
. The headquarters was in Warsaw
from 1942 to 1944."The unsolved question is whether this was under Nazi-leadership or at least influence."
After the war, the organization became based in the United States
.
Today there are summer camps for Russian youth in the U.S. under the title Camp NORR organized by the Association of Russian Explorers Outside of Russia. The first camps were held in 1967.
Basil Vasilevich Joukov, founder of Camp NORR (USA), reposed peacefully on July 30, 2011.
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
: Национальная Организация Русских Разведчиков, Natsional'naya Organizatsiya Russkih Razvedchikov, НОРР) is a youth organization founded by former Russian Scout
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
Pavel Nikolaevich Bogdanovich, a White emigre
White Emigre
A white émigré was a Russian who emigrated from Russia in the wake of the Russian Revolution and Russian Civil War, and who was in opposition to the contemporary Russian political climate....
and veteran of the Russian Imperial army, in the late 1920s after leaving the National Organization of Russian Scouts of Colonel Oleg Pantyukhov
Oleg Pantyukhov
Colonel Oleg Ivanovich Pantyukhov was the founder of Russian Scouting.-Early years:Oleg Pantyukhov was born in Kiev to a family of a military physician and an anthropologist. From 1892 to 1899 he studied at Tifflis cadet school. During his studies he became a member of the group named Pushkin...
. Also the name National Organisation of Russian Pathfinders was used.
After failing to achieve the recognition of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
World Organization of the Scout Movement
The World Organization of the Scout Movement is the Non-governmental international organization which governs most national Scout Organizations, with 31 million members. WOSM was established in 1920, and has its headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, NORR abandoned the title "Scout", favoring the term "pathfinder". It reoriented its symbolism and traditions on Russian imperial military tradition, taking particular inspiration from tsar Peter the Great's poteshniye (childhood friends of Peter who later formed his most loyal Semyonovskiy and Preobrazhenskiy guard regiments), while retaining several Scout traditions.
NORR's militaristic focus (strongest prior to the war) was aimed at preparing the youth for potential military action against the USSR in the case of a "spring campaign" of liberation, similar to émigré organizations such as ROVS. The organization continued many military traditions after the war (i.e. marching drills) for cultural reasons, but gradually abandoned military training and preparation. As did many White emigre
White Emigre
A white émigré was a Russian who emigrated from Russia in the wake of the Russian Revolution and Russian Civil War, and who was in opposition to the contemporary Russian political climate....
youth organizations, NORR focused on teaching children Russian history, pre-revolutionary Russian culture (songs, dances), and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
In 1936 N.O.R.R. joined the N.T.S., an émigré Russian political movement.
NORR, like other Russian youth organizations, aimed at fighting against the assimilation
Cultural assimilation
Cultural assimilation is a socio-political response to demographic multi-ethnicity that supports or promotes the assimilation of ethnic minorities into the dominant culture. The term assimilation is often used with regard to immigrants and various ethnic groups who have settled in a new land. New...
of Russians, as per Bogdanovich's words (from an article titled "Paths of Work", printed in "Chasovoi", 1933 issue 114-115):
Concerning patriotism, at the moment the Russian instructor has before him tasks that are more infinitely complicated and difficult than any of his foreign colleagues. The exclusive situation that all us Russians find ourselves in has called out a cruel enemy of the Russian youth - denationalization. One of the most exceptional patriots of his country, Marshal Foch
Ferdinand Foch
Ferdinand Foch , GCB, OM, DSO was a French soldier, war hero, military theorist, and writer credited with possessing "the most original and subtle mind in the French army" in the early 20th century. He served as general in the French army during World War I and was made Marshal of France in its...
, constantly repeated that nations of people die when they lose their memory. A peoples' memory is made of the study of exceptional occurrences and heroes of their country, pondering the givens of the peoples' experiences.
Prior to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the organization had its strongest chapters in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
(600 members counted in 1938) and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. In 1938 there were 12.000 members in Europe.
Chapters were also active in the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
and Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
.
During World War II N.O.R.R. was still active in German occupied countries including France, while the activities of the National Organization of Russian Scouts and other Russian émigré youth movements where banned.
N.O.R.R. encouraged its members to join the Russian Liberation Army
Russian Liberation Army
Russian Liberation Army was a group of predominantly Russian forces subordinated to the Nazi German high command during World War II....
. The headquarters was in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
from 1942 to 1944."The unsolved question is whether this was under Nazi-leadership or at least influence."
After the war, the organization became based in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Today there are summer camps for Russian youth in the U.S. under the title Camp NORR organized by the Association of Russian Explorers Outside of Russia. The first camps were held in 1967.
Basil Vasilevich Joukov, founder of Camp NORR (USA), reposed peacefully on July 30, 2011.
See also
- Scouting in RussiaScouting in RussiaScouting in Russia comprises several dozen Scout associations, based on religion, politics and geography.-History of Scouting in Russia:-1908 to 1922:...
- White emigreWhite EmigreA white émigré was a Russian who emigrated from Russia in the wake of the Russian Revolution and Russian Civil War, and who was in opposition to the contemporary Russian political climate....
- Camp N.O.R.R.