Orlyonok campers recreated Picasso's "Dove" for the International Day of Peace
The campers drew a white dove of peace on one of the art-benches of the Alley of Masters at the Russian Children’s Centre. The action is dedicated to the International Day of Peace, which is celebrated by «Orlyonok» together with the whole world on 21st of September.
More than 2,600 children from different regions of Russia take part in the events of the International Day of Peace in «Orlyonok». Boys and girls attend thematic educational classes, make symbols of peace of different countries and get acquainted with the traditions and customs of nations, studying national games and dances. The opening of the art-bench with the image of the main international symbol of peace, a white dove with an olive branch, is also timed to coincide with the holiday.
«Orlyonok» is a unique place. It unites children from different parts of the country and the world with common joyful impressions and shared discoveries. Here children exchange experience and traditions of their national cultures, learn to respect opinions and views of their peers, expand their horizons and build real bridges of friendship. That’s what supports an open and constructive dialogue between citizens of different countries in order to achieve the harmonious development of the society. Such thematic days are necessary because the world is as fragile as it is valuable. Our task is not only to carefully preserve its inviolability, but also to teach our children how to do this in order to make their future bright and happy.
Before the holiday, campers painted with their own hands one of the benches in the art zone of the Alley of Masters of the Centre. On the bench they depicted a white dove of the Spanish and French artist Pablo Picasso. His «Dove» lithograph became famous in 1949, when it was announced as the emblem of the International Peace Congress in Paris and Prague. According to Natalia Endovitskaya, an educator of «Orlyonok», this action gave children the opportunity not only to express themselves and leave a creative mark at the Centre, but also to learn a lot about the history of one of the most recognizable symbols of the world. Young artists dedicated their work to equality and unity of people.
«On the bench we drew Pablo Picasso’s white dove with a clear and peaceful sky in the background. Maybe when someone sees this art object, he or she will think about what it symbolizes. I think that we need the Day of Peace to remind people that no matter how we look, no matter who we are, we are all equal. Also, we must help each other and be united not only on this day, but always», — said Victoria Zhirnova, a participant of the 10th camp session from Murmansk.
The International Day of Peace started at «Orlyonok» camps with thematic meetings and a traditional action «The Crane of Peace», which is dedicated to the memory of children who became victims of the world and local wars. The campers made paper cranes and fixed them on the Peace Pillar, which is installed on the embankment of the Centre, as a symbol of preserving peace and harmony on the Earth.
At the Russian-Chinese Centre for Cultural and Linguistic Exchanges, boys and girls attend online classes «Symbols of Peace». These classes are conducted by a teacher from China. Also, there is a special masterclass, where children will learn how to make an origami panda, as it is considered to be the main symbol of peace in China. Moreover, on September 22, the campers will get in touch with Chinese students to discuss issues of kindness, equality and unity of people during the international online meeting «We make peace!».
Today the holiday will go on at the venues of the Centre. Here, during thematic activities, children will get acquainted with the cultural specifics, games and dances of different nations of the world. Also, they will creatively comprehend the theme of the day in the photo contest «THE WORLD through my eyes» and learn about the history and significance of the International Day of Peace from special radio broadcasts of «Orlyonok». In honor of the International Day of Peace, the children of Russia took part in the flash mob «Dancing around the World». You can watch it at the VK official group of the Centre.
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. On this day, the UN encourages all countries and nations to cease hostilities during the celebration of the International Day of Peace.