Late May the award ceremony of the 6th International Beauty Contest Miss Atom-2009 was held in Moscow. The fair of pretty atomic girls in the Russian capital was preceded by two glamour days of filming and work with makeup artists, stylists and fashion designers.
Yekaterina BULGAKOVA of Dimitrovgrad-based Research Institute of Atomic Reactors, who won the Miss Atom-2009 title, shared her impressions of the Cuba trip which was her contest prize.
Nuclear.Ru: Now, looking back, could you say you were sure you would win?
Ye. Bulgakova: Initially, I wasn’t sure. For me, the participation in the contest was rather an amusement or a tiny tradition we have had in our legal department; that is to post our responses to the contest questionnaire and wait for the voting results. It was quite different this year. The web-based contest grew into a catching pursuit of the win. The result is the win gained.
Nuclear.Ru: Did you like the prize?
Ye. Bulgakova: Yes, I did! Very much! It equaled to its name – “The Tropical Paradise”. It’s difficult to convey in words the feelings brought about by the nature of Cuba. One should see it with one’s own eyes. Snow-white beaches, sky-blue ocean, royal palms...
I remember the tour to Habana most of all. It’s a wonderful and amazing city. It’s also called “a city of contrasts”; the architecture is striking there, a mix of different styles from the colonial through the socialist period buildings. Having toured over Habana, familiarized with its architecture, one can study the country’s history. There are places like the old fortress which is at the mouth of Habana Bay, Capitol, colonial style… My hopes were equaled; I’ve got unforgettable impressions to last through all my life.
Nuclear.Ru: Do you like travel, generally? Where would you like to go, as well?
Ye. Bulgakova: I like travel. Especially, I like Oriental countries. I’ve been to China, Indonesia. In future, I plan to go to Cambodia and visit Sri Lanka.
Nuclear.Ru: By the way, would you want to be born in a country other than Russia?
Ye. Bulgakova: No, I would not. I’m a patriot of my country. I wouldn’t ever want to be born in another country and in no case I would move to anywhere, because I love my country.
Nuclear.Ru: Katya, what merits a woman should hàve to make a successful career? And what place does beauty have on this list?
Ye. Bulgakova: Certainly, these are will, virile character, ability to make responsible decisions. Beauty is an extra bonus. Of cause, it helps in some things in life… In any case, I think it won’t damper a parade!
Nuclear.Ru: How, do you think, the win in the contest could affect your personal career?
Ye. Bulgakova: I think it’ll become a good incentive, and not only in the career. Any wins are very important in life. It means much and costs high for any person to score even a small point. In other words, opportunities arise to show one’s worth not only as a professional.
Nuclear.Ru: If now, after several years in nuclear, you are suggested to go back and choose your trade again, what would you have chosen?
Ye. Bulgakova: I’ve chosen my trade and don’t see myself in any other else vocation. Though, I would have mastered some extra trade, something linked to creativity. Interior design, for instance. I like to renovate my apartment interior, invent all things myself. Certainly, it would have been interesting, in this respect.
Nuclear.Ru: Why did you decide to become, specifically, a nuclear lawyer?
Ye. Bulgakova: Our institute, NIIAR, is the major employer in the city. I think it’s a leading one in the region, as well. Therefore, I though the work there was the most prestigious. It’s a great experience since the institute is dealing with many areas, specifically in terms of legal work. This experience is invaluable for me as a young lawyer.
Nuclear.Ru: Have you ever had an idea of going into the modeling business?
Ye. Bulgakova: There was something like that long time ago. I attended a model school and took part in small-scale contests, city-wide. It has passed by now. Interests have changed. But I like being filmed. I made my pictures in a studio in our city. They were not made for the contest, specifically. This was just an opportunity to use them.
Nuclear.Ru: In your answers to the questionnaire you wrote that you are easy to set off for an adventure. Could you recollect any of the most recent?
Ye. Bulgakova: I meant travels. Something interesting always happens in travels. I don’t like inactive vacations. I like seeing things, searching for something… These are the adventures I meant. For example, I’d like to jump with parachute! Now, there is no an opportunity, but I’d love to try.
Nuclear.Ru: What’s your idea of yourself in five years?
Ye. Bulgakova: Generally, I don’t like guessing at the future. But if give it a thought, I may imagine myself a mother, in the first place. Perhaps, I’d succeed in my career. I think this is the main thing for me in short term.
Nuclear.Ru: Coming back to the Miss Atom contest; how, do you think, it has changed over the past year?
Ye. Bulgakova: I have a very good impression of the contest and ceremony, in particular. Many thanks to the organizers for the perfect program! I think last year it was more formal, though I was not attending the ceremony. This year everything was in style. A very beautiful place was selected for the ceremony. For me it was unexpected because I thought of a more ceremonial and formal event. It’s a great step forward as compared to the last year.
Nuclear.Ru: How did the people in your institute take your win?
Ye. Bulgakova: The institute director and chief engineer greeted me in person, said thank-you words, were speaking about the corporate spirit… I had a support during the contest as well. In the institute they always are positive towards such ambitions of employees.
Nuclear.Ru: Does such contest facilitate the positive image of the industry?
Ye. Bulgakova: Certainly. It forms positive attitudes. When you look at the contestants only positive moods arise. Youth, beauty and flourishing are consonant with the progress of nuclear industry because all these definitions are applicable to nuclear power as well.
Nuclear.Ru: In conclusion, what would you like to wish future Miss Atom contestants?
Ye. Bulgakova: Don’t be afraid, get on and strive for victory!
