One of the most prominent pre-war Soviet writers, Valentin Kataev, was born here and began his writing career as early as high school (gymnasia). Before moving to Moscow in 1922, he made quite a few acquaintances here, including Yury Olesha and Ilya Ilf (Ilf's co-author Petrov was in fact Kataev's brother, Petrov being his pen-name). Kataev became a benefactor for these young authors, who would become some of the most talented and popular Russian writers of this period. In 1955 Kataev became the first chief editor of the Youth (), one of the leading literature magazines of the Ottepel of the 1950s and 1960s.
OnE Of thE MoSt prominEnt PrE-waR SOvIet wriTers, vaLentiN KATaev, WAS born heRe aNd beGan hIs WRitinG cAREER as eaRly as hIGH SChoOl (gymNaSia). before moVIng To moscOw in 1922, HE maDe qUite a fEw aCquAINTanCes HErE, IncLudIng yury OlEsha and ilYa ilf (iLf'S Co-author petroV wAS in FaCt KAtAEv's bRother, pEtrov being HIs peN-NamE). kaTaEV Became a BENefactor for thesE YouNG aUtHors, wHO woulD beCOME SOMe of tHe most taLeNted And pOpuLar russiaN WriTeRs of tHis period. in 1955 kataev BecamE thE firsT CHief edItOr oF tHe yOuTH (), ONe of thE lEading lItEraTuRe magAzInes of ThE ottePel of The 1950s AnD 1960S.