October 2 — Metro Builder's Day: history and traditions, how to congratulate on the holiday

In Russia, Metro Builder's Day is celebrated on October 2. This is a young holiday that appeared a few years ago. It is dedicated to all those who make a significant contribution to the creation and development of the Russian metro. In 2025, the celebration will be celebrated for the third time. Metro construction workers will receive congratulations on Thursday. Izvestia tells us how the Day of the Metro Builder is celebrated and who to congratulate on a professional celebration.

The history of the professional holiday on October 2

The holiday was established in honor of an important historical event — on October 2, 1931, the Council of People's Commissars decided to begin construction of the metro in the capital, which became the starting point for the development of underground transport in other cities. The first construction work began in November of the same year on a pilot site near the future Krasnoselskaya station of the Sokolnicheskaya line, and in May 1935 the first metro line was opened — from Sokolniki station to Park Kultury station.

In addition to Moscow, the metro appeared in other major cities of the country: St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Kazan. Today, the metro is not only a transport artery of cities, but also a symbol of the Russian metro industry, which combines the traditions of the past and modern technologies.

As a sign of respect for many generations of metro builders, a professional holiday was established in early 2023. Its establishment was announced by President Vladimir Putin during the opening of the Bolshaya Koltsevaya Line (BKL) metro in Moscow. It was first held in the autumn of the same year.

Metro Builder's Day brings together representatives of a wide variety of professions. These are electricians, installers, tractor drivers, mechanics, crane operators, surveyors (engineers specializing in work in the bowels of the earth) and other specialists who provide comfortable trips for millions of passengers.

Traditions of the Metro Builder's Day in Russia

As a young professional holiday, Metro Builder's Day does not yet have well-established traditions. However, the foundations of the celebration were laid in previous years. Usually on this day, the results of the year are summed up, the latest technologies and methods in metro construction are discussed, and certificates of honor and industry awards are presented to veterans and industry leaders.

Various cultural and educational events are organized for residents of cities with metro systems, including excursions, exhibitions, quizzes and "open days". Some lines are launching themed trains with special exhibitions dedicated to the history and development of the metro.

May 15 — Moscow Metro Day: 90 years of the Moscow Metro

In Moscow, in connection with the 90th anniversary of the Moscow metro, festive events are held throughout the year. They include a historical reconstruction of the 1935 metro launch, an exhibition of retro cars and a train parade featuring trains of different generations.

How to congratulate on the Day of the metro builder

Congratulating metro builders on their professional holiday, they emphasize the importance of their work, as well as the importance of the profession for the city and the country. We wish the perpetrators of the celebration personal success and achievements in the development of underground transport. Below are some examples of how to congratulate on the Day of the metro builder on October 2.

"Happy holidays, dear metro builders! Your work is not always noticeable, but it is you who ensure stable movement and convenience for millions of people. Your profession requires not only professionalism, but also unlimited dedication to your work. May there always be a place for innovation and new ideas in your work, and may your life be filled with pride for your work and for creating not only underground tunnels, but also a reliable foundation for urban development!"

"Dear metro builders! I sincerely congratulate you on your professional holiday! You are at the forefront of building underground arteries that make life easier for cities and are the basis for their development. Your profession is a constant search for solutions to the most complex engineering problems, the creation of high—tech facilities and, of course, work with people. I wish you to always keep up with the times, reach new heights and not stop there. May each project be successful, and may your every day be full of joy from the work you have done!"

"Congratulations on the Day of the metro builder! This holiday is not just a date on the calendar, but a special day that unites all those who, through their work and skill, realize the most ambitious projects, reduce distances and build the future. Every tunnel, every station is the result of hard work, a high level of responsibility and real engineering. On this day, I would like to thank you for your high professionalism and dedication to your work. May your work always be appreciated, and may you rightfully receive well-deserved gratitude and recognition!"

"From Sokolniki to Park by metro": how the subway appeared in Moscow

On the 90th anniversary of the Moscow metro

Interesting facts about the subway

The metro, as a mass urban transport, exists in more than 50 countries around the world. About 155 million people use it daily, which is 34 times the number of air passengers per day.

The oldest is the London Underground. The first metro line opened here in 1863 and was called the Metropolitan line. It was from her that the word "metro" came into use in many countries of the world. At the same time, at first the trains were driven not mechanically, but with the help of horses.

The Japanese subway is considered the busiest. Passengers have to literally win back a seat on the train in order to get to work on time. There are even special employees among the metro staff who "tamp down" people into the carriages so as not to delay the movement of trains.

The deepest in the world is the St. Petersburg Metro, which is due to the presence of floating soils and the proximity of the Neva River. The deepest station in the city is Admiralteyskaya, with a depth of 86 m. It is slightly inferior to the Park Pobedy Moscow metro station, which is 84 m deep.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the winners of the Moscow Masters competition, which is held among metro workers.