Bayrakatuba, a small village in Bashkiria, has been recognized as one of the republic’s “Sober Villages,” receiving a cash prize of 1.5 million rubles. The village, home to only 90 residents, aims to use the funds to address its “main problem,” road improvements. Despite the award, the question remains: can alcohol truly be absent in such a settlement?

The “Sober Village” project in Bashkiria highlights the ongoing fight against drunkenness. While historical methods included drastic measures, modern approaches focus on incentives. Villages that demonstrate sobriety receive cash prizes to improve their settlements.

Locals in Bayrakatuba maintain that heavy drinking is nonexistent. The village lacks a store, which closed 15-20 years ago and was never revived. The tight-knit community knows each other well, seemingly making it difficult to hide any secret alcohol stashes.

Despite the lack of alcohol, life in Bayrakatuba presents other challenges. Roads are in poor condition, requiring residents to travel to nearby cities for groceries. Farmer Ramil Zagidullin, a local entrepreneur, faces conflicts with residents regarding his livestock and construction activities.

While Bayrakatuba has water and gas, the latter’s installation was initially misdirected to a neighboring village. Many residents still rely on old stoves as a backup. Young people often leave for work in the city, and houses are quickly sold after the death of elderly residents. However, some newcomers choose to stay, drawn to the rural lifestyle.

Rustam Gilyazev, a local resident and initiator of the “Sober Village” nomination, envisions using the prize money for road improvements. He believes the program helped reunite residents after the Covid-19 pandemic. Future plans include demolishing the old store and building a playground.

Residents emphasize that drinking is “not fashionable,” particularly among the younger generation. They recall a time when vodka served as a form of currency, but those days are gone. Life in Bayrakatuba is active, requiring residents to love the village and create their own opportunities.

Despite the lack of a medical center and limited job opportunities, residents find ways to thrive. A school bus serves the village, and local youth have access to the internet and city life. The residents want to improve facilities, like moving the fence near the river further away, and installing swings. Also, they want to install horizontal bars and bars for the guys, because they like to compete with each other, it’s some kind of sport entertainment!

When asked about the availability of moonshine, residents expressed surprise and denied its existence. They emphasized their hardworking nature and the absence of alcoholics in the village.