Celebrations for Children's Day in a festival-style format: An overview of the festivities held in the central park of Ekaterinburg.
In the heart of June, the park was buzzing with excitement as a smorgasbord of kid-friendly fests unfolded. The "Impressions Festival" brought together "Art Picnic" and "Read, Yekaterinburg!" to immerse attendees in literature, music, theater, and science. Meanwhile, the "Childhood and Youth Festival," with its "Beloved Family" zone, played host to a series of engaging lectures tailored for parents and the budding parenting community.
In "The First Lab," kids got their adrenaline pumping with an array of activities—learning archery, road safety fundamentals, hiking prep, and remote-controlled tank maneuvers through an obstacle course. And to cap it off, they scooped up some ice cream and toys.
Along the park's main alley stood a reading room and bookcrossing platform that quickly became a hit. Visitors could take a book for a spin in the park or bring it home. By midday, the shelves, brimming with books initially, were nearly bare.
The littlest attendees gathered around for a literary character lottery, featuring an eclectic cast of Zmey Gorynych, Ilya Muromets, Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid, and more. The colorful figures, captivating illustrations, and soft building blocks fueled excitement, keeping the kids engaged.
For the grown-ups, there were quests centered around Yekaterinburg's cultural life. In a remarkable turn of events, the youngsters teamed up with their parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents, defying the digital age as they strived to answer questions without resorting to online searches.
Inn Merzlyakova, the deputy director of Yekaterinburg's municipal library system, shed light on their efforts. "Our primary goal, amid the festive atmosphere, is to promote reading as a leisure pursuit. Grab some books, blankets, and come enjoy the park under the sun. Feel free to kick back and read in nature. Near the lounge zone, you'll find another treasure of ours—'Murzilka' magazines. Though the youth might be unfamiliar, the older generations hold this publication dear."
Young science enthusiast Maria Lapteva, aged 6, captivated the audience with her report, "The Report on Bears," aided by her mother, Elena Lapteva, a researcher at the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Following her presentation, a heartwarming animated tale about a paleontologist, collaboratively created by mother and daughter, played for the audience.
Despite the festival's casual format and the chaotic atmosphere, the audience remained captivated during intellectual lectures. Stanislav Drobyshevsky, the festival's headliner, anthropologist, and science popularizer, left the audience spellbound with his lecture on "Myths about the Brain."
Timofey Chaplyuk, a musicologist and composer, captivated the audience with his take on how literary works influence rock music. "A festival setting creates a certain sense of chaos—audience members might come and go during a lecture, making it challenging. Yet, I understand that at festival lectures, an air of academicism should be avoided. Instead, I aim to provide accessible information in an enjoyable format, revealing the history of rock music, jazz, pop music, and their literary implications."
- In the midst of the excitement, visitors at the "Childhood and Youth Festival" found a corner dedicated to 'education-and-self-development', featuring intellectual lectures and engaging presentations, like Maria Lapteva's report on 'The Report on Bears'.
- Alongside kid-friendly activities, the park also catered to adults, offering 'fashion-and-beauty' workshops and 'lifestyle' discussions, with Timofey Chaplyuk sharing insights on how literary works influence 'music-and-drink' trends in rock music.
- For the environmentally conscious, the home-and-garden enthusiasts could visit the reading room and bookcrossing platform, where they could bring home or share books, promoting a culture of 'reading' and sustainable practices.
