In Irkutsk, International Childrens Day will be marked with festive concerts, contests, gifts, and free entertainment for children. The program includes performances by orphanage pupils, a celebration on the Childrens Railway, and a large event near the Orion cinema for children from troubled and low income families. Also included are the history of the holiday and a greeting to Irkutsk residents from Vladimir Yakubovsky.

The International Children’s Day, celebrated on the first day of summer — today — is one of the oldest international holidays. The decision to hold it was made by the International Democratic Federation of Women at a special session in November 1949.
The first International Children’s Day was held in 1950. The UN supported this initiative and declared the protection of children’s rights, life, and health one of the priority areas of its work.
Children’s Day was, for some reason, very popular in the Soviet Union. Especially among schoolchildren, who associated the protection of children with the beginning of the longest summer vacation of the year. Schoolchildren headed off to beaches, to the banks of rivers and lakes, and thereby protected themselves from pesky teachers.
On Children’s Day, June 1, the sanatorium-type family children’s home No. 5 will host a festive concert by its pupils, “Hello, Summer,” with gifts presented by trustees — enterprises and companies of Irkutsk.
In addition, a celebration will take place on June 1 at the Children’s Railway. The program includes fun contests, clowns, prizes and gifts, as well as free rides on the children’s train.
Near the Orion cinema at 11:00, a celebration for children from disadvantaged and low-income families will take place, organized with the support of the Chairman of the Irkutsk City Duma, Andrey Labygin. The celebration program includes an asphalt drawing contest, clowns and a circus performance, performances by creative groups, a cartoon screening, free ice cream, and balloons. Also during the children’s celebration, the results of a charity marathon to raise money, held jointly with the Irkutsk regional branch of the Children’s Fund, will be announced. Since May 25, the Orion cinema has been collecting charity donations and clothing for children left without parental care. The money and items collected will be handed over to the pupils of orphanages.
Irkutsk residents are congratulated on the holiday by Vladimir Yakubovsky:
Dear Irkutsk residents!
Please accept our heartfelt congratulations
on the International Children’s Day!
Every year at the beginning of summer we congratulate the little residents of Irkutsk. June 1 is the brightest and most carefree holiday of the year; this day is filled with smiles and cheerful laughter.
Children are the future of Irkutsk and the whole country. We must help them grow up to be intelligent, healthy, kind people who love their loved ones, their native city, and their country! All our hopes and aspirations are connected with children. Let us, the adults, make sure that they smile more often, that peace, love, and harmony reign in every home, in every family.
With all my heart I wish all the young residents of Irkutsk happiness and joy! May your boldest dreams come true! May every day of ours, dear Irkutsk residents, be filled with ringing children’s laughter.