Gardens of Memory: from School Initiative to Folk Movement

      Ekaterina Kleptzova (principal of Pavlovo School in Pizhansky District), Lidiya Samoylenko (principal of Selezyenikha School in Kirovo-Chepetsky District), Nadezhda Odintsova (principal of Veshoshizhye Settlement School), and Natalya Gaskova (principal of Kumena Settlement School) shared their positive experiences working with their teams on patriotic and labor education of the younger generation and asked the deputy to support new projects.

      Let us recall that the idea of the "Gardens of Memory" campaign originated in 2015 within the walls of Selezyenikha School and, with the support of Oleg Valenchuk, Chairman of the Russian Horticultural Union, grew into a truly popular movement that spread across the country.

      "We are grateful for your support; without it, this initiative might have remained at the school level," noted Lidiya Samoylenko. "This is very significant for children. This year, after ten years, they came up with the idea themselves, wrote the project, and approached me with a proposal to continue this good work and plant a cherry orchard next to the apple trees."

      Natalya Gaskova added that children, after graduating, remember the important work they participated in. They come to visit their apple trees, check how they overwintered.

      Initially, apple and lilac trees decorated school grounds, kindergartens, hospitals, and parks. However, this spring, "Gardens of Memory" appeared in the yards of Kirov’s multi-storey buildings, uniting residents in a common good. In the year of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, residents of the Vyatka land planted over 3,000 trees and held more than 200 ceremonial events. Over the years, more than 25,000 trees and shrubs have been planted in the Kirov region.

      "We've been planting apple trees in memory of heroes for several consecutive years, and now our apple orchard is yielding a good harvest," shared Nadezhda Odintsova. "Last year, we shared apples with our priest, who then distributed them to those in need."

      Oleg Valenchuk noted, "Indeed, over these ten years, the apple trees have grown, and I think it’s time to expand our movement. I propose that we pass on the harvest from the Gardens of Memory to our veterans and socially vulnerable families. The volunteers of the Russian Horticultural Union will definitely help with this: they will deliver the apples to those in need. I am sure there is also a very good educational aspect: kids will feel pride in their work, which has borne fruit, brought benefit, and joy to people."