Probably, everyone already knows that October 19 is the All-Russian Lyceum Day. What kind of holiday is it and why is it celebrated on this day? How is Lyceum Day held in modern educational institutions? Let's find out. To do this, we need to take a short excursion into the history of Russian education and culture.
Lyceum Day. Why October 19th?
In short, on that day the famous Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum was opened, founded by decree of Emperor Alexander I.
This educational institution played an important role in the cultural and even political life of the entire Russian Empire. The influence exerted by the lyceum on the life of its pupils is still felt in modern society. Why can I say that?
Some historical information
The Imperial Lyceum was founded in 1811, on October 19. World Lyceum Day, celebrated on this day, has become a solemn tradition for all graduates of this educational institution. Despite the years and political and social changes, the festive custom is an important annual event for modern educational institutions.
For whom the educational institution was opened
Initially, the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum was opened for the training of privileged nobles. According to the emperor, his younger brothers, the heirs of the Russian throne, were to study there. However, this idea was never realized.
And yet, it was considered prestigious to study in this institution, since the lyceum did not open its doors to everyone, but only to the nobles of the upper classes, able to pay for the stay of their children in the walls of an elite educational institution.
Lyceum students were taught by the best teachers of the time. The program was designed in such a way as to prepare young people for national posts, which they should work in a quality and exemplary manner.
By the way, this is what happened. Many graduates of the Lyceum became famous figures in the Russian Empire. They held honorable posts and high ranks, making a significant contribution to the political, social and cultural life of the empire.
However, more on that later. Now, discussing the question of why the International Lyceum Day is celebrated on October 19, let's briefly discuss the structure and features of the institution itself.
General education program
According to historical information, Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum received adolescents from ten to fourteen years old. Reception took place every three years, while training was carried out for six years.
Basically, the educational program had the following directions:
- morality (God's law, logic, ethics, political economy, law);
- literature (rhetoric, calligraphy, as well as language training: Latin, French, German and, of course, Russian);
- history (world and domestic, geography);
- mathematics (including statistics, physics, cosmography);
- grace and physical fitness (dancing, fencing, horseback riding and even swimming).
At different times, the curriculum underwent changes, maintaining a humanitarian and legal orientation.
It is noteworthy that when training high school students it was impossible to use corporal punishment, which was unprecedented in the educational system of that time.
The first building of the Lyceum
Where was the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum located, which became a symbol of the annual celebration of the Lyceum's Day on October 19? Initially, as the name implies, the institution was located on the territory of Tsarskoye Selo, in a four-story wing at the Catherine’s Palace. Especially for the educational institution, the building was rebuilt and adapted for students.
Each of the students had their own small room, where a bed, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a chair, a mirror and a table were placed.
Also in the Lyceum there was a library, classrooms, an assembly hall, a physical room, a newspaper room and premises for classes after studies.
A bit about the leaders
The director’s house was located on the premises. It is noteworthy that initially this position was occupied by well-known Russian teachers and enlighteners (Vasily Fedorovich Malinovsky and Yegor Antonovich Engelhardt). Later, military men occupied the director's post: Lieutenant General Fedor G. Goltgoer and Lieutenant General Dmitry Bogdanovich Bronevsky. It was from this time that the lyceum program approached the course of the faculty of law.
When the Bronevsky Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum moved to St. Petersburg, in the building of the Alexandrinsky orphanage. After this, the structure was rebuilt several times and completed. A four-story wing for educators and educators was also erected.
Pupils
Young nobles, studying at the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, after graduation received minor civil ranks. They could also enlist in the military, as their education was equivalent to training in the Page Corps.
As mentioned above, among the graduates of the Lyceum (from the mid-1840s, it became known as the Imperial Alexander), there were many civil and political figures who had a huge impact on the history of the Russian state. For example, A.P. Bakunin (governor and privy councilor), A.M. Gorchakov (last chancellor of the Russian Empire), A.A. Delvig (poet and publisher), A.D. Illichevsky (poet, state adviser), N A. Korsakov (poet, composer, diplomat), M. A. Korf (director of the Imperial Library), S. G. Lomonosov (secret adviser, ambassador extraordinary and minister), F. F. Matyushkin (admiral, senator, polar explorer ) and many, many others.
Above is only the first issue of the Imperial Lyceum. One can only imagine how many important and progressive figures this educational institution has prepared.
It was these first graduates who laid the foundation for the celebration of the Lyceum's Day on October 19. On this day, every year they came to the walls of this educational institution to look at each other and remember the old days. Alumni meetings often ended with a rich lunch and fun festivities.
However, there was still someone involved in the date of October 19. Lyceum's day without this person was considered ordinary and uninteresting. Who is it?
Pushkin and his Lyceum
Yes, this is the legendary Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, the first and most famous graduate of the Alexander Lyceum. It was he who immortalized this institution in his works. It is to him that we owe such a wonderful and symbolic holiday, which takes place on October 19 - Lyceum Day.
Pushkin wrote a lot and very passionately about his beloved lyceum. It was his best time in life - youth, serenity, male friendship. The poet kept the warmest memories of the place of study. And although he calls the six years spent in training, “years of imprisonment” and “solitude”, yet with fondness and trepidation he recalls “lyceum noise” and “lyceum fun”, “holy brotherhood” of friendship and “clear days” spent outside the walls of the school. It is noteworthy that in his poems the democratic Pushkin several times glorifies the tsar for the fact that he “founded the Lyceum” and calls Tsarskoye Selo his Fatherland ”.
Yes, with incredible love and joy, the poet recalls life and training at the Lyceum. The above words from Pushkin’s verses eloquently testify to this. Lyceum Day, October 19, has always been a special day for the poet. On the eve of this date, he wrote his wonderful poems each time, filled with gentle sound, longing for youth, philosophical and psychological thoughts about school years, adolescent friendship, young dreams and hopes.
For him, the lyceum forever remained in memory as a place of happiness and young enthusiasm, mutual assistance and strong friendly ties. The poet was friends with some classmates for many years, meeting with them in an informal setting and devoting them his poems and other works.
Modern celebration
Are they celebrating October 19 (Lyceum Day) in schools and other educational institutions of our country? Of course. This date for modern students, especially lyceum students, has become a real holiday. It is on this day that Russian lyceums hold open lessons and even concerts, accompanied by contests, theatrical performances, balls and other useful entertainment.
Event program
There are many scenarios for October 19 (Lyceum Day). According to numerous pedagogical plans, these activities can be carried out in several directions:
- cognitive;
- entertaining;
- educational and entertaining.
Most often, you can see the last type of scenario, according to which students are told in an amusing way about the history of the holiday, touched on the immortal poetry of Pushkin and briefly described the enormous influence exerted by the Imperial Lyceum on the entire history of the Russian state.
Typically, such events are accompanied by theatrical performances, telling about the life of lyceum students or Pushkin himself. Slides showing the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum and its important figures can also be shown.
Or, the directorate of modern educational institutions can organize a costume ball for students, their parents and teachers.
Greetings and wishes
Most often at such events, words of gratitude and congratulations are heard. Lyceum Day (October 19) is a truly joyful event for all students and teachers.
What can I say or what is the best way to diversify the program of such concerts? There are many greetings and wishes, both in poetic and in prosaic form, with which teachers congratulate students and vice versa.
At such celebrations, students always wish good grades, a lot of knowledge and achievements, victories and ... good behavior. And teachers are thanked for work and diligence, for patience and kindness, for experience and knowledge.
You can congratulate on the Day of the Lyceum student not only at a festive event, but also with a postcard, SMS message or a small gift. Modern lyceum students are very fond of all sorts of jokes and practical jokes related to this important celebration for them.
And, of course, the parents ’students are always present at the festive event in honor of the Lyceum’s Day, who can also take part in the event, congratulations, theatrical performances and even a costume ball.
Such a program not only entertains youth, but also broadens its horizons, as well as introduces it to the great and beautiful that is called national culture.