Soviet kids’ very first school day in PHOTOS

Viktor Koshevoi / TASS
Viktor Koshevoi / TASS
The school year in Russia starts on September 1 and the big date is celebrated as ‘Knowledge Day’. Below are some revealing photos of first graders taken by famous Soviet photographers.

The first school day is a special one. So, what were first graders usually doing on September 1? For starters, crowding in front of the school before the ceremonial lineup!

Boris Kaufman / Sputnik
Boris Kaufman / Sputnik
Boris Kaufman / Sputnik
Boris Kaufman / Sputnik

Dressing up for the day is a must!

Alexander Kruzhkov/Pavel Sukharev archive
Alexander Kruzhkov/Pavel Sukharev archive

Buying flowers for the teacher (It’s still a tradition that every school kid presents a bouquet to their teacher).

Yury Ivanov / Sputnik
Yury Ivanov / Sputnik

Discovering school - the new place that would become a second home for the next 10 years!

Valentin Cheredintsev / Sputnik
Valentin Cheredintsev / Sputnik

Meeting their first ever teacher.

Boris Babanov / Sputnik
Boris Babanov / Sputnik

Starting their learning journey.

Igor Gnevashev/MAMM/MDF
Igor Gnevashev/MAMM/MDF

Still going out with toys.

Alexander Steshanov/MAMM/MDF
Alexander Steshanov/MAMM/MDF

Feeling excited about all the new things, including knowledge (below, schoolkids of the Baikal-Amur Mainline’s constructors show their alphabet books at their first reading lesson).

Viktor Marikovsky / TASS
Viktor Marikovsky / TASS

The first ‘first call’ for a girl and the last ‘first call’ for a graduate class student.

V.Borzin / TASS
V.Borzin / TASS

Trying to be considerate and attentive.

Viktor Koshevoi / TASS
Viktor Koshevoi / TASS

Studying the alphabet.

Nikolai Maximov / Sputnik
Nikolai Maximov / Sputnik

Learning how to write…

Yury Somov / Sputnik
Yury Somov / Sputnik

…and read (pictured left is Yelena Gagarina, daughter of the first man in space).

Valentin Cheredintsev / Sputnik
Valentin Cheredintsev / Sputnik

Having drawing lessons (and comparing your skills with your desk neighbor).

Boris Kavashkin / Sputnik
Boris Kavashkin / Sputnik

Trying to be first at all the disciplines and get the highest marks (it’s 5, not A, in Russia, by the way!).

Alexander Makarov / Sputnik
Alexander Makarov / Sputnik

Having the first ‘Peace’ lesson (words from the song ‘May There Always Be Sunshine’ are written on the blackboard behind).

K.Khamsin / Sputnik
K.Khamsin / Sputnik

Being a matter of mom’s pride.

Gennady Ratushenko / Sputnik
Gennady Ratushenko / Sputnik

And missing a joyful summer a little.

Boris Kavashkin / Sputnik
Boris Kavashkin / Sputnik
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