April 8 is Russian Animation Day: the history and traditions of the holiday, as celebrated in 2025

Every year on April 8, Russian Animation Day is celebrated in our country. The holiday is designed to celebrate the outstanding role of animation art in the development of Russian cinema and is dedicated to all creators and fans of cartoons. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Tuesday. Izvestia tells about the history of the holiday and what events are dedicated to this date this year.

The history of Russian Animation Day, celebrated on April 8

Russian Animation Day was established by presidential decree in 2022 to mark the 110th anniversary of the release of the first animated film in Russia. It was a silent painting, "The Beautiful Lucanida, or the War of the Barbels and the Horns." The cartoon premiered on April 8, 1912.

The film was shot by biologist Vladislav Starevich and told about the life of insects. Filming took place according to the principles of puppet cinema, however, instead of dolls, there were horned beetles in the frame. The tape impressed the audience with its technique. Many were sure that they were watching unique nature shots, and not man-made models.

It is from this date that the history of Russian animation begins. Later it was chosen as a festive one. Before the decree was issued, it had been celebrated unofficially since 2012, on the centenary of Russian animation. At the same time, it was decided to hold the celebration annually.

Also, animators and everyone who works on creating animated films celebrate another holiday — International Animation Day. It is celebrated annually in autumn, on October 28.

How to celebrate the Day of Russian Animation — 2025

On the Day of Russian Animation, festivals, free cartoon screenings and master classes from famous animators are held in cities. There are lectures on the art of creating cartoons in schools and libraries. Every year, the geography of the holiday expands and covers more and more regions.

Another important event of the holiday is the Open Russian Animated Film Festival "Suzdalfest". This is the main Russian animation festival, which traditionally takes place in March every year in Suzdal. His program is divided into two streams — children's and adult animation. Moreover, most of the cartoons can be seen only as part of the festival.

The national animation award "Icarus", which is awarded to animators and animators for achievements in the field of animated films, is also timed to coincide with the celebration. The 11th award ceremony will be held in 2025.

In addition, a large press conference will be held in Moscow on the day of the holiday with the participation of representatives of the Animation Film Association, Soyuzmultfilm Film Studio, Gorky Film Studio and the Karusel TV channel. During the event, they will talk about the development of Russian animation, measures to support the industry, new technologies and preferences of modern viewers. The broadcast will be available on April 8 on the TASS website.

And for fans of animated films, a big festive program was prepared at VDNH. Guests are welcome from 12:00 to 19:00 at the Soyuzmultpark pavilion. Various workshops, interactive games, quizzes and the broadcast of unique footage from the production of the Soyuzmultfilm studio are planned for children and adults. During the day, visitors will be greeted by Shapoklyak, Troubadour, the Brilliant Detective and other popular cartoon characters. Each guest of the holiday will be presented with a memorable souvenir.

Aliens on a visit: what vector has Suzdalfest outlined for animation

The organizers of the main Russian cartoon show distributed prizes

Interesting facts about Russian animation

The first Russian animator is considered to be the choreographer of the Mariinsky Theater Alexander Shiryaev. From 1906 to 1909, he shot on 17.5mm film a series of tapes with dancing figures against a background of stationary scenery, accurately reproducing the main ballet parts. However, he showed his work only to acquaintances and students, they did not appear on a wide screen.

Animation was greatly developed during the Soviet era. In the 1920s, small associations of animators began to appear all over the country. The artists experimented with forms, subjects and equipment, which was facilitated by the general atmosphere of the Russian avant-garde, which was key to the art of those years.

At the same time, the Leningrad Sovkino factory was actively developing, where the hand-drawn animated film "Cockroach" was shot. And in 1936, the famous Soyuzmultfilm film studio was founded, which released dozens of cartoons that were successful not only in the USSR, but also abroad: "Nu, Pogodi!", "Winnie the Pooh", "Crocodile Gena", "Three from Prostokvashino".

Today, Russian animation has long emerged from the shadow of Soviet animation. Not only the plots have changed, but also the technologies that open up new opportunities for animators. Among the cartoons of recent years, one can mention "Luntik and his friends", "Barboskiny", "Masha and the Bear", "Smeshariki", animated sagas about the adventures of Russian heroes Ilya Muromets, Alyosha Popovich, which are very popular among Russians.

Earlier, Izvestia wrote that a new animated series "Super Rally. The Secret of two Planets", which was created by real racers.