Directory of Eco-villages in Europe - Kennedy Bibliothek

Since 1993, Kitezh has functioned as a non-government, non-profit
home and school for orphaned Russian children in a community of
foster families who live together on a large piece of land in a rural area
300 km south of Moscow in the Kaluga region. The nearest town is
Baryatino. Their system of fostering and educating children has proved
to be a real alternative to the state system of orphanages and childcare
institutions. Education is the main focus at Kitezh.
Kitezhans aim to live in harmony with nature, in an ecologically aware,
natural life style, within a village community. They believe that
by serving others, they will serve themselves. At present 20 permanent
residents live at Kitezh with 30 children, some adopted, others their
own. In the summer months, many volunteers and students come to
Kitezh to help with building, working in the gardens, on the farm and
with the children.
Kitezh is also a wide circle of intellectuals concerned with consolidating
their efforts to bring about the changes needed in Russian society
today; in economic, social, political, environmental and educational
spheres. Several highly educated people - artists, poets, writers and
journalists, scientists and scholars - are involved with Kitezh and find
it a receptive environment to share their knowledge. Some come to
offer special courses and programmes. For them, Kitezh provides a
vast field for new experiments in education, in cordial surroundings
and with sensitive children who are eager to learn from them.
Kitezh Russia
Baryatino
existing
eco-viliage
131