Pavel Petrovich Glezdenyov as the founder of the first newspapers in the Mari and Udmurt languages

The article covers the educational and publishing activities of Pavel Petrovich Glezdenyov, an outstanding educator and public figure who made a significant contribution to the development of education, culture, and press of the peoples of the Volga region. The article aims to trace the main stages of Glezdenyov’s biography and identify his contribution to establishing the first newspapers in the Udmurt and Mari languages. The research utilizes materials from periodicals, as well as relevant scholarly literature. The relevance of the study stems from the necessity to study Glezdenyov’s contribution to the development of the national press and education of the Mari, Udmurt, and other peoples, which has long been underestimated. The originality of the research lies in the comprehensive analysis of Glezde-nyov’s role as the founder and editor of the first newspapers in the Mari and Udmurt languages. The findings reveal that Glezdenyov successfully implemented his projects despite challenging historical circumstances, thereby laying the foundations for training the first generation of journalists of Mari and Udmurt descent. His legacy remains vital for understanding the history of the cultural and educational development of the peoples of the Volga region, emphasizing his pivotal role in shaping their national identity.