Father's Day: a source of strength for future generations

Russia celebrates Father's Day on the third Sunday of October. Although introduced relatively recently, it has already become a cherished family occasion. For the National Centre RUSSIA, as for the country as a whole, it is another opportunity to reflect on the role fathers play in everyone's life and in raising the next generation.

The holiday was officially established by Decree No. 573 of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, dated 4 October 2021, to strengthen the institution of the family and recognise the importance of fatherhood in raising children. Since then, fathers across Russia have been honoured every third Sunday of October. Family festivals, concerts, sporting and cultural events take place, while children congratulate their dads and thank them for their support and care.

But Father's Day is about more than gifts and warm words. It is also an opportunity to emphasise how important it is for fathers to take part in raising their children, be there at important moments and pass on their love, support, experience, willingness to take responsibility and ability to defend the Motherland. Families nurture the qualities that later form the character of the country's future citizens. In patriotic education, stories about grandfathers and great-grandfathers, their selflessness and respect for work, alongside a love of local history, lay the foundations for a sense of connection to the future of one's home region and country.

Respect for traditional family values is reflected in many of the National Centre RUSSIA's flagship projects, which support upbringing, education and the development of national identity across all generations. These include lectures on the country's history, projects exploring continuity between generations, thematic expositions and educational programmes. The Centre pays particular attention to meetings with Heroes of Russia, fathers of large families and respected mentors to today's young people. Father's Day reminds us of the value of a father's support within the family. In this spirit, the National Centre RUSSIA's unique original project, the All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts", helps couples build strong unions for the future. Applications for the project's fourth season can be submitted on the website, giving even more love stories a chance to begin.

There are many ways to celebrate: call your father, gather the whole family around the table or simply say thank you. Above all, remember that Father's Day is less about giving or receiving greetings than gaining a deeper appreciation of the important role family plays in each of our lives.