HAPPY DAY OF KNOWLEDGE White bows, a sea of flowers, the plea | Russian slang

HAPPY DAY OF KNOWLEDGE

White bows, a sea of flowers, the pleasant excitement of parents, pupils and teachers - all this corresponds to the Day of Knowledge. Today, all educational institutions traditionally hold ceremonial performances followed by the first lesson. Teachers, parents and pupils gather in school yards to greet each other: they gather in a festive line-up, warm words are exchanged and bouquets are given to teachers. However, in recent years, flowers are often replaced with small sweet gifts, otherwise no gifts are bought and the money saved is donated to charity.

History of Knowledge Day
Actually, the holiday has started to be celebrated on September 1 not so long ago. Back in the days, when the first schools only began to appear, the school year would begin after the harvest time - children had to help their parents during this difficult period. Because of this the learning process often began in late autumn or even with the beginning of winter. In the cities the school year used to start much earlier — in August, since there was no need to help adults in agricultural work.
And only in 1984, September 1 became a holiday officially fixed in the state calendar. In the same year, the format of the holiday has also changed. The first day of autumn stopped being a regular school day, it became full of various entertainment events — festive ceremonies, concerts. However one lesson still takes place — a class hour or a peace lesson.

Traditions of the Day of Knowledge

Festive line-ups
The solemn line-up is the official beginning of the school year and the most important tradition of this day. Each school celebrates it in its own way: special scenarios are developed, the principal gives a speech to the pupils and teachers, various groups may be involved different performances. Special attention is paid to the ones who meet the school community for the first time.

The First Bell
It is impossible to imagine the 1st of September without the First Bell, when a pupil of the class that is about to graduate carries a tiny first-grader on his shoulder, ringing the miniature bell. This is a great honor for both, a final year pupil and a first-grader, as well as a touching moment for all participants of the celebration.

Finest school uniform
Of course, such a solemn day cannot do without special outfits. It is a tradition to wear white shirts, blouses, and dark trousers or skirts. Girls' hair is decorated with large white bows.

Homeroom or first lesson
The ceremony most often takes place outside, so after that pupils and teachers enter the building, go to their classrooms and participate in the first lesson. This can be a thematic class hour dedicated to an important problem. Sometimes it can be devoted to solving organizational issues.

A trip to a café, park or entertainment center
This is more of a family tradition that helps making the Day of Knowledge a real holiday. You can also go to the cinema or to the park with the whole class.
After all the festive events a trip to a café or on an excursion is a great way to relax, communicate with each other, get closer, share impressions and emotions.

Useful vocabulary for the Day of Knowledge in Russia:
Школа (Shkola) — “School”
Учебник (Uchebnik) — “Texbook”
Цветок (Tsvetok) — “Flower”
День знаний (Den` znaniy) — “Day of Knowledge”
Торжественная линейка (Tarzhestvennaya lineyka) — “Festive line-up”
Первое сентября (Pervaye sentyabrya) — “September 1”
Открытый урок (Atkrytyy urok) — “Open class”
Знание (Znaniye) — “Knowledge”
Первоклассник (Pervaklasnik) — “Freshman”
Первый класс (Pervyy klas) — “First grade”
Классный руководитель (Klassnyy rukavaditel’) — “Class teacher”
Первый звонок (Pervyy zvanok) — “First bell”
Бант (Bant) — “Bowknot”

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