Knowledge Day in Russia

Knowledge Day is celebrated in several former Soviet countries, like Russia, where school term starts in September.

If other countries celebrate anything like Knowledge Day, the date usually depends on the beginning of semester. For example, in Great Britain school year starts in September too, but the first school day is not different from any other day, if you're not a first grader. On the opposite, Japan starts a new school year in April.

Whatever the season is, the reason for this holiday is to celebrate the beginning of a long and challenging path of study and discovery, and to encourage little newbies to get immersed in the new environment 🏫 📚 ✏. Oh, and Knowledge Day also marks the end of vacation, which is pretty sad though.

Let's focus on the Russian scenario.

What does a typical Knowledge Day look like? 🏫

First of all, it's a huge event for parents, kids, teachers, and administration. Students line up on a solemn ceremony, where a lot of events take place. Usually it's arranged right in front of central gate or the school yard. The principle gives hopeful speeches, brilliant students read out poems about the importance of endless education and dedication to your country, little first graders act noisy and freaked out, trying to adjust the strange new clothes. You're lucky if the uniform fits well.

One of the central events is called First Bell 🔔. It's when an exemplary high-schooler takes a first grader with a bell, places them on the shoulder, and gives a round of jingle, which marks the official start of the turmoil 🎉. It's common to choose tall and strong guys, cause you don't want them to drop the kid, that will be a scandal. Great.

Next step — each class follows their teacher to the classroom and have their “class-hour” lesson, discussing plans for the year, talking to parents, etc. First graders have their first ever lesson. I don't remember mine, but it was certainly very sweet. Everybody is getting acquainted through a game, inhaling the smell of fresh-printed textbooks, playing with stationery. The teacher seems to be the key figure that sets an example for your next 11 years. Of course, nobody warns you of constant homework, regular tests, teen drama, and other upcoming hunger games. But as a kid, you don't care. You enjoy the moment.

Enjoying the moment now means copying and pasting these emojis to share your thrill and support each other through school ups and downs. ✏ Don't miss the chance!