Participants of the All-Russian Wedding Festival speak about the joy of parenthood
1 June marks International Children's Day in Russia and around the world. For many families in our country, it is a wonderful occasion to speak about the joys of motherhood and fatherhood and share the principles of conscious parenting. Ahead of the III All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts," participants from previous festivals spoke about how to make both children and parents happy.
Timur and Elizabet Badmayev from the Republic of Buryatia started their family at the First All-Russian Wedding Festival, and soon afterward welcomed a child. "We both grew up in large families and always understood that family and children are the main purpose of life. The birth of our child confirmed this for us. Our family life became fuller and deeper."
The couple shared that they hope to establish a tradition of visiting their ancestral village, where their grandmas and grandpas grew, on Children's Day each year, thus introducing their child to the homeland of their grandparents. To ensure a happy childhood, they follow five principles: listen first; demonstrate rather than command; do not confuse your dreams with your child's life; offer support without judgment in any situation; and spend quality time together as a family.
Participants in the Second All-Russian Wedding Festival, Nikita and Irina Bagrovsky from Omsk, are raising their young daughter Yesenia. While parenthood has brought new responsibilities, they say these are insignificant compared to the happiness and love their daughter has brought into their lives. The couple believes that successful parenting requires attention to a child's feelings, the ability to admit one's own mistakes, and an emphasis on communication, creativity, and trust. Family traditions are equally important. Thus, for the Bagrovsky family, 1 June is a special date because it combines Children's Day, the beginning of summer, and Irina's birthday. They plan to organise a large annual children's celebration for family and friends.
Pavel and Valeria Tarlin, representatives of one of Russia's Indigenous peoples of the North and young parents themselves, also shared their principles of family happiness. They formulated five commandments of parenting: never threaten to stop loving your child; ask "What happened?" instead of "Who is to blame?"; show your own emotions; never treat a child's troubles as insignificant; and be consistent and predictable. The Tarlins believe that adults benefit from preserving a childlike sense of wonder.
"It is important to be able to watch an ant and forget about time, to see a cardboard box as a spaceship, and to notice the reflection of clouds in a puddle instead of the dirt," says Pavel Tarlin.
Vladimir Lysenko and Polina Baranova from St. Petersburg note that the birth of their son brought a whirlwind of emotions and strengthened their relationship. In their view, the foundation of parenting is unconditional love, acceptance, and recognition that a child is an independent individual.
Alexander and Anastasia Golovanov from Moscow, who are raising their one-year-old son, also believe that love is the most important thing in life. They fondly remember participating in the First All-Russian Wedding Festival: "When our children ask how we got married, we will tell them how nervous we were backstage, how we danced our first dance as newlyweds, cried tears of happiness, and how the entire country celebrated with us. We will remember the magical day our family was born!"
They believe that a happy childhood is built on vivid life experiences, access to new technologies, and the broad opportunities for personal development available in Russia.
Maxim Babenyshev and Viktoria Zhivotchenko from the Moscow Region emphasise the importance of creating a safe and trusting environment where children can openly share their thoughts and feelings and develop freely.
"It is important to help children preserve their sincerity and freedom in expressing emotions. This will allow them to remain open to the world and to other people as they grow older, while also developing flexibility in dealing with life's challenges. Children who can appreciate simple joys and remain curious about the world around them will be able to build rich and multifaceted lives in the future."
On 9 July, experts participating in the educational programme of the III All-Russian Wedding Festival will discuss additional parenting recommendations and principles. Sessions and lectures will focus on raising children at different stages of development, as well as the importance of traditions and intergenerational continuity for families and society.
The First All-Russian Wedding Festival took place in 2024 as part of the International RUSSIA EXPO, where 221 couples were married. In 2025, the festival was held at the National Centre RUSSIA, where another 206 families were formed. The event has since become an annual tradition and will continue to be held on the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity.
The large-scale event will be held on Family, Love and Fidelity Day, 8 July, at the National Centre RUSSIA.
On the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, the National Centre RUSSIA will once again become a place where new families are born.
