September 1 is a holiday in Russia with an anxious atmosphere. Over the past 50 years, many back-to-school traditions have changed, including school uniforms, flowers for the teachers and first lessons. The “In Moscow” portal presents a comparison of how first graders looked 50 years ago and what they are like today.
September 1 is a holiday in Russia with an anxious atmosphere. Over the past 50 years, many back-to-school traditions have changed, including school uniforms, flowers for the teachers and first lessons. But some things stay the same: the tears, the smiles, the shy first graders and the confident high school students, the worry on the parents’ faces and songs about the school. Photo: September 1, 1970 at Moscow school No. 31.
First graders worry the most in the face of the unknown. Naturally, many of them end up in tears on the first day of school. Photo: September 1, 1963. A first grader with her mother.
The tradition of holding assemblies to celebrate Knowledge Day exists to this day. Photo: September 1, 1973. Students at Moscow’s secondary school No.40 at an assembly.
It is hard for students, especially the younger ones, to readjust to the school routine after a three-month-long summer vacation. Photo: September 1, 1978. A school student during a lesson at Moscow school No. 112.
On September 1, lessons are often dedicated to a particular topic. This year, children will have lessons on the Olympics and on the power of courage on the first day of class. Photo: September 1, 1983. A lesson about peace at one of the Moscow schools.
September 1 always means bouquets of flowers, white ribbons and shy elementary students. Photo: September 1, 1983. Sergei Vladimirov, a first-grader at Moscow’s school No. 46.
Photo: September 1, 1983. Masha Polevaya, a student at Moscow school No. 46.
In 1992, standardized school uniforms were abolished in Russia. It was up to the school principals to choose a uniform for their schools. Photo: September 1, 1997. Students at Moscow’s school No. 1038 during an assembly.
Photo: September 1, 1999. A lesson at one of Moscow’s schools.
The flowers that the students gave their teachers became more varied over the years. Asters and gladioluses, popular in the Soviet times, are now joined by roses and chrysanthemum bouquets. Photo: September 1, 2005. Elementary school students at Moscow’s school No. 1307.
Backpacks also changed. A wide selection of school bags now allows parents to choose a backpack that would be “different from the others.” Photo: September 1, 2003. Knowledge Day at one of Moscow’s schools.
Today’s first graders know how to use computers and cell phones and probably know a lot more about the world than Soviet children did. But September 1 still spurs a storm of different feelings and emotions. Photo: September 1, 2010. Students at an assembly in one of Moscow’s schools.
