Teachers' Day in Russia - the 5th of October

On 5th October, Russians will celebrate «День учителя» (Teachers’ Day). On this day, students show gratitude to their teachers to say thank you for their contribution and dedication. Read on to find out how this day is celebrated!

The history of «День учителя»

«День учителя» was first celebrated in the Soviet Union, traditionally on the first Sunday of October each year. On the eve of the holiday, children would come into school to decorate their classrooms with balloons, flowers and posters. They would prepare songs, poems, and even concerts to honour their teachers.

Nowadays, the holiday is celebrated on 5th October every year. This date was chosen by the UN in 1994, as it marked the anniversary of the first official document outlining the responsibilities and rights of teachers, commissioned by UNESCO in 1965. Since then, 5th October marks the International Day of Teachers throughout the world. Each year there is a specific slogan for the holiday – this year, it is “Young teachers – the future of the profession.”

In many European countries this day is not celebrated, or it is marked only in the form of a card given to teachers. However, Russians don’t hold back in showing their gratitude to their teachers, and «День учителя» remains just as important a holiday as it was in Soviet times!

How do Russians today celebrate «День учителя» ?

Children come into school for the celebration on 5th October, or on the next school day if the holiday falls on the weekend. Many schools organise an arrangement whereby older students lead the classes for the day, to give their teachers time off to celebrate!

There will be games, competitions, singing, comedy sketches, concerts, and there might be an informal ‘prize’ ceremony run by the students, with nominations such as ‘most fun’ and ‘most fashionable’. Children and parents bring in a feast of cakes, pies and salads to celebrate the day, and students line up to give flowers and presents to their teacher. Teachers receive congratulations not just from students, but from parents and colleagues too.

Which presents are given to teachers?

Presents can be from an individual student or from the whole class. They might be a simple box of chocolates or sweets, but teachers often receive handmade or thoughtful gifts which may be related to their subject. Children sometimes seek out the advice of other teachers on what to give, and the parents of the class may club together to buy the teacher a special gift. Alongside the present, children present a card to their teachers with a poem, song or quote written inside.

…and what shouldn’t you give?

Interestingly, it is not acceptable to give a teacher alcohol as a present. In the UK, it is very common to give your teacher a bottle of wine at the end of the school year as a thank you present. (Maybe this says less about different customs, and more about the behaviour of British schoolchildren!)