It’s back to school day in Russia. Summer is over and around 13 million students of all ages across the country are heading back to the classroom with a mixture of gloom and excitement.
Out of the 13 million students going to school on Tuesday, 1.4 million are first graders.
The tradition of bringing flowers for teachers on the 1st of September still lives on in Russia, with students pouring into classrooms, many accompanied by their parents.
The first day of school, also known as “The Day of Knowledge” is an official celebration in Russia. Many schools across the country put on shows for the students.
In his video blog, Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev delivered a message of peace and tolerance to the students:
“Understanding and mutual help between people of different cultures has been the foundation of our country’s development over the centuries,” Medvedev said.
“We need to keep learning all the time to accept each other as we are, regardless of ethnicity, religion, convictions and customs. We need to learn to respect each other and nurture and preserve the interethnic harmony in our country. Learn to understand each other better. Look after each other, and look after the vast, unique and amazing world that is our Russia,” he added.