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The Hare and the Wolf, Masha and the Bear, Winnie the Pooh and Piglet, Smeshariki and Carlson – the favorite characters of Soviet and animation are familiar to every inhabitant of our country, regardless of age. They were born thanks to the work of a huge number of talented people – artists, screenwriters, directors, composers. In the spring they celebrate their professional holiday – Animation Day. However, any of us can join it – those who truly love and appreciate cartoons, their charm, originality and depth.
When is Animation Day celebrated?
Day of animation in 2022 will be celebrated 8 April. However, experts related to animation celebrate another holiday – International Animation Day, the official date of which is October 28.
history of the holiday
Animation, despite all its, at first glance, frivolity, is the elder sister of cinema. The first animated film – however, the film is too loud, they were rather short repetitive sketches – was presented to the public in France in 1892. But the first movie was made only in 1895.
The premiere of the first animated film in Our Country took place a little later – on April 8, 1912, the celebration of the Day of Animation is associated with this date. The cartoon was called “Beautiful Lucanida, or the war of the barbels and stags” and told about unhappy love in the world of insects.
It was filmed according to the principles of puppet cinema, but there were no puppets in the frame at all. The author Vladislav Starevich, a biologist by education, used dissected insects as actors, and so successfully that the admiring audience was sure that they saw a performance of real trained beetles.
Since then, the fame of animation has spread to different countries. The Soviet school that appeared later strengthened the world leadership positions of our compatriot creators. Soviet cartoons are still loved for their unusualness, charm and unique innovative visual solutions.
The Day of Animation was established in 2012, on the centennial anniversary of the premiere of The Beautiful Lucanide. Modern animators continue the traditions of the Soviet school, modernizing and updating them. Animated films by authors are not only widely recognized and loved by the people. Many of them win the hearts of critics, receive nominations and awards at prestigious festivals, and become popular not only at home, but also abroad.
Holiday traditions
For representatives of the professional community of animators and animators, festive events, official and unofficial, are held on this day. If you are far from these professions, the best way to celebrate Animation Day is to arrange a marathon of your favorite cartoons. In addition, in many cities, in honor of the holiday, free sessions of cult and Soviet cartoons are held.
What modern cartoons are worth watching
Everything is clear with Soviet cartoons: timeless classics will certainly not lose their relevance in the next few decades. What about modern cartoons? We share a selection of our favorite animated films.
“We cannot live without space”, Konstantin Bronzit, 2014
The 15-minute film about two astronauts was nominated for an Oscar in 2016, but lost the award to a competitor from Chile. A touching and poignant story about friendship, loneliness, determination and despair.
“Mountain of gems”, Alexander Tatarsky and others, 2005−2015
Animated collection of fairy tales of the peoples of Our Country, which consists of more than 80 episodes. All of them are made in different animation styles. The result is a motley and colorful, like an oriental carpet, animated series, where in each episode a colorful and integral story unfolds based on folklore.
“My personal moose”, Leonid Shmelkov, 2013
Another variation on one of the main themes of all creativity – fathers and children. Light and slightly melancholic, the cartoon will remind you of the main things that often fade into the background over the years. “My Personal Moose” won the Crystal Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.
“My love”, Alexander Petrov, 2006
Technically complex, made with oil paints on glass, it is impossible to take your eyes off this cartoon, as from a real work of art. In less than half an hour of running time, the author manages to tell a whole story: touching and poignant, evoking a whole range of complex emotions.
Zhiharka, Oleg Uzhinov, 2006
A kind children’s cartoon about a restless girl Zhiharka, who is unsuccessfully trying to outwit the villain-Fox. It has everything: cute characters, excellent drawing, cheerful music, and, of course, morality that small viewers can take out of the cartoon.