June, 1: International Day of Child

Article submitted by Oleg Lavrentyev

On the 1-st of June, Ukraine celebrated the International Day of Child (or the Day of Children's Protection, as they call it locally). This holiday is one of the oldest among international holidays, and one of the highly respected and well-observed national celebrations in Ukraine.

The decision about its celebration was taken in November, 1949 by the International Democratic Federation of Women. Later, in 1950, the UN has approved the celebration of this holiday internationally and declared protection of children’s rights one of its priorities. In the countries of the former Soviet Union it is still a very popular holiday.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine, this holiday was celebrated with the special attention this year. At the biggest square of Ukraine and Europe, there was held a festival and a concert for children. The little visitors had a chance to enjoy numerous sand sculptures depicting epizodes from popular fairy tales, created at the square specifically to this holiday.

The festivities lasted all day. On a big stage which was established on the largest square in Europe, the Mini-Miss of Ukraine Contest was held; it was followed by a magnificent fire show of the Big Circus of China, and the evening of the day was marked with gorgeous fireworks.

Read more about Ukraine in the Read about Ukraine section of the DU Network's Community Web site.