Every year on 1 June many states celebrate the «International Children's Day». This date was established in 1949 during the congress of the International Democratic Federation of Women (МДФЖ, Federation democratique internationale des femmes, FDIF).  

The most important "marker" of this day is drawing the world's attention to the difficult, sometimes everyday circumstances in which children find themselves: poverty, exploitation of child labor, lack of educational opportunities, cases of abuse, illnesses and many other life trials faced by children and adolescents. Alongside this is the necessity of strict observance of fundamental children's rights: to life, to health preservation, to education, to priority of family life and to reliable protection from all forms of violence.

Equally, it is another unambiguous reminder to the international community of its urgent and historic mission to create a favorable environment that promotes the comprehensive and harmonious development of the younger generation.

It is appropriate to recall that, for example, 20 September is also observed as the «World Children's Day». This day is regarded as a celebration of global unity and understanding among children. It is devoted to activities aimed at improving the lives of minors around the world, which fully corresponds to the provisions of the «Declaration of the Rights of the Child» adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1959 (Resolution 1386, XIV). 

In addition to the international dates already mentioned, there are days with a clear targeted focus: «World Children's Football Day» (19 June), «Day of Protection of African Children» (16 June), «World Day of Children's Television and Radio Broadcasting» (first Sunday of March), «International Day of Innocent Children – Victims of Aggression» (4 June). However, many countries have their own national celebration days, in one way or another dedicated to children. For example, they are celebrated: in Brazil on 12 October, in Japan on 3 March, 5 May, 15 November, in Spain on 5 January, in India on 14 November…  

In Germany children are honored on two separate days. On 1 June the «International Children's Day» (Internationaler Kindertag) is celebrated, which is often accompanied by lively public events and family festivals in many regions of the country. It is not a public holiday, however.  

After the reunification of Germany in 1990, as the officially recognized nationwide date for this celebration, and in accordance with UN recommendations, 20 September is observed in the country as «World Children's Day» (Weltkindertag). It draws the German public's attention to children's rights, their well-being, to decent education and healthcare, and to reliable protection of the younger generation from violence.  

For many years now the multidisciplinary community of Russian Germans Lyra Marzahn e.V. has been organizing events dedicated both to the «International Children's Day», celebrated on 1 June, and to the «World Children's Day», which falls on 20 September. 

This time the festive event directly linked to the «International Children's Day» was held by the society of Russian Germans Lyra Marzahn e.V. on Sunday, 31 May, on the eve of the official date. The event took place in close cooperation with numerous public and integration organizations, associations and creative collectives of Berlin whose activities are in one way or another connected with children and adolescents. With the direct practical support of the retail chain «MIX MARKT».

Traditionally the celebration took place in the Tal Center Marzahn (Oberweißbacher Str. 7, 12687 Berlin) and on the adjacent grounds. 

An extensive program was prepared for guests:

-   various children's games, educational quizzes, fun contests and outdoor attractions;

-   creative workshops and amusing sports competitions for the little ones;

-   performances by professional dance and vocal ensembles and solo artists;

-   presentations by children's and youth creative groups and ensembles demonstrating dances, songs and solo numbers;

-   appetizing culinary delights and simple but tasty refreshments.