Comrades! Happy Pioneer Day! Today is the day we honor the Young Pioneer scouting organization established on May 19, 1922. Lenin’s wife, Nadezhda Krupskaya, was a crucial figure in the inception of the organization, and you can read a quote from her below in the “Articles” section.
Why do we celebrate the Pioneers? The Pioneers are were the second step on a path to becoming a communist part member in the USSR, though not everyone took this path. You can read about it more in the story “10 Level of a Soviet Communist”, which outlines how a child might go from being a Little Octoberist to a Young Pioneer, to a Komsomol member, and all the way up!
You might be saying to yourself, “why am I studying the Young Pioneers?” Insights, dear comrades, insights. As Lenin said about the Komsomol, prior to the creation of the Pioneers:
"Members of the Union should consume every free hour to improve the garden, or at some factory or plant. The Teaching of Youth, etc. We want Russia to move from a poor and slaughter country to a rich country. And it is necessary that the Communist Youth League unite its education, its teaching and upbringing with the work of the workers and peasants, so that it does not lock itself up in its schools and does not confine itself to reading church books and pamphlets. Only in labor together with the open and the peasants can become real communists. And it is necessary for everyone to see that everyone who is a member of the Youth Union is literate, and at the same time knows how to work. When everyone sees how we drove the old drill out of the old school, replacing it with reciprocal discipline, how every young person goes to his share in the subbotnik, how they use a separate suburban farm, so that the population to the population, the people will look at labor differently than they look at it looked before. The task of the Communist Association of Youth is to get help in such a matter to get to the village or to your quarter.”
📸 Photos
- 📸 Photos
- 📝 Articles
- Who were the Pioneers and why is there so much nostalgia for them?
- “Young Pioneers” - Lenin’s Wife
- 10 levels of a Soviet communist: From diapers to head of state
- How Soviet children were raised and educated
- 🖼️ Art
- Pioneer Posts on Instagram:
- Pioneer Pledge:
- 📺 Videos
- 🎧 Music
- Anthem of the Young Pioneers (1922)
- English Lyrics
- Russian Lyrics
- Eaglets Learn to Fly
- “Eaglets Learn to Fly” Lyrics
- 💬 Comments from Comrades
- 🇺🇸 Young Pioneers of America
- The Young Comrade Issues:
- US & Canadian Pioneers in USSR Magazines
- ⏭️ What’s next…
- 📅 Upcoming Events
- 🙋♂️ How can you help?
- 👕 Shirts
- 📈 Boost It!
- ☕️ Ko-fi Membership
📝 Articles
Click the headlines below to expand the section.
Who were the Pioneers and why is there so much nostalgia for them?
The Pioneer movement, founded in Soviet Russia in 1922, was an important part of Soviet childhood for many Russians over the age of 35. The movement aimed to educate children to be loyal to communism and the party, and instilled a sense of pride in being a Pioneer. The movement's symbols, such as the red tie, were memorable and recognizable. The movement's focus on socially useful activities and volunteer work, as well as participation in parades, were also important aspects of Pioneer life.
"Always forward, not a step back"
Scout organizations existed back in pre revolutionary Russia in the early 20th century. The idea was imported from the United States. In 1917, about 50,000 children and adolescents were members of scouting associations. However, after the October Revolution, they were viewed by the new Soviet authorities as "hostile remnants of Tsarist Russia," and were quickly disbanded.
“Young Pioneers” - Lenin’s Wife
The bourgeoisie of all countries understands to a nicety what a great power the experiences of childhood have over people, and for this reason it endeavours to bring the children up in the bourgeois spirit from their earliest years.
10 levels of a Soviet communist: From diapers to head of state
“The Young Pioneers (or as they officially were called, the Vladimir Lenin All-Union Pioneer Organization) was the most common mass youth organization in the USSR. Formally, it was something resembling the scouts, but it was centered around instilling a Communist upbringing in the youth.”
“Pioneers were raised to be useful and to contribute to Soviet society. They gathered waste paper and scrap metal, and brought it to recycling centers (often competing to see who brought more). The Pioneer organization had its own rules and laws: Pioneers had to be faithful to the Motherland, had to be well behaved, had to work well in a collective and had to be hardworking.”
How Soviet children were raised and educated
The Soviet government took charge of children's upbringing and education to ensure they grew up as committed supporters of the new Communist society. The state guided a child's life from birth, and children were sent to kindergarten and school free of charge. The Soviet education system aimed to give each child relevant knowledge to become productive members of society, and new teaching methods emphasized collective good, democracy, and self-management. The Pioneer Organization inculcated moral and ethical values in children, and all schoolchildren joined en masse from age 10.
🖼️ Art
Pioneer Day is on May 19.
“The Young Pioneer’s Promise: I, a young pioneer of the Soviet Union, in the face of my comrades, I solemnly promise: to love my soviet motherland ardently, to live, study, and fight as great Lenin wanted, and as the Communist Party teaches.”
Pioneer Posts on Instagram:
All of these Instagram embeds have multiple photos and posters within. Make sure to click, and read the translations in the description! If you enjoy them, consider sharing with your friends!
Pioneer Pledge:
📺 Videos
🎧 Music
Anthem of the Young Pioneers (1922)
According to the video:
"Clash of the Fires, Blue Nights" is a Soviet pioneer song written in 1922. The lyrics were written by poet Alexander Alexeyevich Zharov, and the music by pianist Sergei Fyodorovich Kaidan-Deshkin.
English Lyrics
●▬▬▬▬☭★★★★★☭▬▬▬▬●
Blow up the fires, Blue Nights!
We, the pioneers, Are the children of the workers.
The time of bright years is coming,
The Pioneer's cry: "Always be ready!"
With joyful step, with joyful song
We follow the Komsomol.
The time of bright years is approaching,
The Pioneer's cry: "Always be ready!"
We raise the Red Banner,
Children of the workers bravely follow us.
The time of bright years is at hand,
The Pioneer's cry, "Always be ready!"
"Blue nights, blaze with bonfires!
We, the Pioneers, Children of the workers.
The time of bright years is approaching
The Pioneer's cry: "Always be ready!"
The Pioneer's cry: "Always be ready!"
Russian Lyrics
●▬▬▬▬☭★ СЛОВА ★☭▬▬▬▬● Взвейтесь кострами, Синие ночи! Мы, пионеры, — Дети рабочих. Близится время светлых годов, Клич пионера: "Всегда будь готов!"
Радостным шагом, c песней весёлой Мы выступаем за Комсомолом. Близится время светлых годов, Клич пионера: "Всегда будь готов!"
Мы поднимаем Красное Знамя, Дети рабочих смело за нами. Близится время светлых годов, Клич пионера: "Всегда будь готов!"
Взвейтесь кострами, Синие ночи! Мы, пионеры, — Дети рабочих. Близится время светлых годов, Клич пионера: "Всегда будь готов!" Клич пионера: "Всегда будь готов!"
“One of the first Soviet songs to gain popular recognition was, oddly enough, the anthem of the Young Pioneers. It was written by poet Aleksandr Zharov and pianist Sergey Kaidan-Deshkin, at the suggestion of Nadezhda Krupskaya, Vladimir Lenin’s spouse. The anthem is easily adapted for the Young Pioneer bugle. The following lines are familiar to everyone born in Soviet times! Let’s raise high our campfires into the dark blue night! We are Young Pioneers, the children of the workers! Near is the time of our best years And the Pioneers’ motto is “Always be ready!””
Source:
Eaglets Learn to Fly
“Eaglets Learn to Fly” Lyrics
1
The eagles are learning to fly.
The sound of the surf salutes them,
In their eyes the sky is blue ...
Nothing to frighten the eagles!
The eagles are learning to fly.
The eagles learn to fly -
Either straight to the sun in a scarlet flame,
Then falling like a stone on the rocks
And starting life again.
The eagles are learning to fly.
Chorus:
It's not easy to argue with the height,
It's even harder to be irreconcilable.
But life is not in vain called the struggle,
And it's too early for us to blow the lights out! To battle! To battle!
2
The eagles are learning to fly,
And somewhere in the nests the birds are whispering,
That it won't take long to break,
That it's hardly worth the risk...
The eagles are learning to fly.
The eagles are learning to fly.
Years are almost indistinguishable in the distance
, like mountain peaks,
And they are not so easy to take.
The eagles are learning to fly.
Chorus.
3
The eagles are learning to fly.
Alarmed bugles are humming,
That tomorrow the storms will be worse.
Well, well ... We are no strangers!
The eagles are learning to fly.
Eaglets learn to fly,
They will be able to meet grief,
Raise the dawn on strong wings.
Don't die, but win!
Eaglets are learning to fly!
Eaglets are learning to fly! From: https://allforchildren.ru/songs/pioneer10.php
💬 Comments from Comrades
From a Russian comrade. She often sends photos of Pioneer items from Museums and shops near Moscow:
“We were pioneers of the 1980s generation... at the turn of the century. For us, of course, the atmosphere of pioneer camps is unforgettable. At the time, we groaned a little from the daily "routines" (every morning raising the flag, the Pioneer motto"), competition squad song. But only now do we understand that and it was great and unique)). And so I remember the: the pioneer lights, bonfires, zarnitsa. One of the best things was "to draw something with toothpaste on somebody's face at night)))”
ADD PHOTOS,FROM 1BPD
🇺🇸 Young Pioneers of America
In addition to picketing, the Young Pioneers of America had a magazine called, “The Young Comrade.” Read some selected sections below, and below that, you can find the original PDFs.
The Young Comrade Issues:
US & Canadian Pioneers in USSR Magazines
Read the translations below!
“The realization that pioneer organizations have taken root all over the world should fill the heart of every pioneer with pride. At present, we can boldly say that there is no such country, no such region, where the life of our young proletarian organization would not begin. Far across the ocean, in countries such as Canada and the United States of North America, pioneer associations have already existed for several years. They are now strong and firmly on their feet. These organizations include the children of the workers, brave and courageous children who are wholeheartedly devoted to the proletarian fatherland - the Soviet Union.
The pioneers of these distant countries live and dream of our country and are ready to sacrifice everything for it. We have received many letters from these young fighters for the proletariat, some of them very interesting. Here is what one pioneer writes from Canada: “Dear comrades! In the Young Comrade magazine (a pioneer magazine published there in English), it was printed that the pioneers of other countries wished to correspond with the pioneers of Canada. Therefore, I decided to write a letter to comrades from the Soviet Union. I would very much like to visit Soviet Russia.
We are oppressed here by the bourgeoisie. My ardent desire is that we do not have bourgeois in Canada, like in the Soviet Union. Our teacher at school is in the habit of saying that every Bolshevik should be killed. She gets angry when we talk about Soviet Russia and liberation from the capitalists.
One day, we students decided to sing revolutionary songs. Hearing this, the teacher forbade us to sing them. These are Bolshevik songs, she said angrily, they must not be sung! The inspector strictly forbids them in our Canadian schools. In addition, the teacher Nitsa told us that in our beautiful pre-minion (Canada belongs to the British, who call it a “dominion”, i.e. “possession”), we need a people who would fight for England in the event of a war with the Bolshevik country. To this we answered her that we would not fight either with Russia, or with China, and in general with other countries that fights against the bourgeoisie. If war breaks out, we will be on the side of Soviet Russia.
Our teacher makes us pray morning and evening. He asks us questions from the Bible after he reads chapters of the book to us.
The teacher knows that the parents of many of the students are communist workers. Therefore, she especially tries to make their children believe in God. But she won't get that from us!
I just moved into high school and I'm glad I won’t be forced to pray anymore.
I am waiting for your answer, in which you tell me about your country and your.”
Now that we have read this letter, we can make some very happy conclusions from it.
First, that the Canadian pioneers are very conscientious. They know that the fatherland of the workers is not the country where the capitalists live, where their fathers and themselves suffer. Therefore, from that time on, they refuse to ever fight with the proletarian fatherland - the Soviet Union.
Secondly, As we learn from the letter, there are many pioneers in the school. The teacher, although she conducts military agitation among them, tries to is to inspire hatred for the Bolsheviks and love for the priests, but after all these conversations, the kids undoubtedly criticize and ridicule the bourgeois teacher and say: “She won't get it!“
In another American country, the United States, the pioneer movement is even stronger than in Canada. New York publishes a monthly English-language magazine called “Young Comrade”. In this magazine, the article “Pioneers Arrested for Participating in an Anti-War Demonstration” recounts a case in Washington DC. Washington is the capital of the North American United States. Some time ago there was a demonstration against the war. Together with adult communists took part in the demonstration and pioneers. The police arrested 29 people, including three pioneers: Flones Carpenter, A. Brooks, and Charles Seidman. At the trial, the arrested behaved boldly and fearlessly: one of the accused, Clarence Miller, told the terrible story of his torment in prison: he and five other people were put in a cell that looked more like a cage for animals. The cell was dirty, full of insects and cockroaches. Miller was even forced declare a hunger strike in protest. The court sentenced the defendants to a monetary fine of $100 each, with commutation to prison if not paid. But none of them agreed to pay a fine, and decided to serve time in prison.
There is another interesting case from the life of our American pioneer comrades.
The case took place relatively recently in the city of Philadelphia. The communist workers were to hold a meeting with a report. The Philadelphia pioneers were willing to attend this talk and came to the meetinghouse with 250 people. But then they were met by a huge crowd of policemen who forbade the pioneers from entering the building.
One of the pioneers was arrested for not keeping quiet about the police, but when he called him a "thug". My head is not worse, but better yours! - the pioneer answered him. But the Philadelphia pioneers were not easily frightened. They staged a demonstration near the premises, walked up and down in front of the house and sang revolutionary songs. After that, the pioneers called a rally to protest against the actions of the police, and also protested against the expulsion of two pioneers from school for their activity and for the help they provided to high school students. America's pioneers in schools are working on their development, publishing magazines, and doing community work. For example, at Elementary School No. 61 in New York, the pioneers published seven school bulletins and many flyers in a year. Since the beginning of the year they have been publishing the school magazine “Young Iskra”. When the school authorities found out about this, they began to follow and spy on the pioneers. Two pioneers were summoned for questioning by the school authorities. They were required to hand over their comrades. But they held on. zhestno and betrayed no one.
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These round-ups will include extra information from my historic Instagram posts
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