On June 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with members of the government and at the very beginning discussed the problems and achievements of the children’s recreation system in the country. Kommersant special correspondent Andrey Kolesnikov believes that there are at least as many problems as achievements.
At the very beginning of the meeting, Vladimir Putin reported on what was happening in the field of social policy.
“So,” he said, “for working parents who are raising two or more children and have low incomes per family member, income tax and personal income tax are actually reduced to 6%. I think this decision is absolutely fair. It corresponds to the logic and spirit of our entire demographic and social policy.
The message would be even more optimistic if it did not contain the phrase “and have low incomes per family member.” But if it were about all families with two or more children, the message would be too optimistic. No budget could bear such a message.
“Strengthening children’s health is our national priority,” said Vladimir Putin. “We do not retreat from it, despite all external challenges. All these are transitory things, these are external challenges, but children, young generations are the future of Russia, the continuation of our people.
It sounded beautiful.
In fact, there is no need to hide what all parents whose children go on vacation are thinking about: namely, about external challenges that can become internal at any moment.
“Understanding this, unfortunately, we can also state that our opponents do not stop at terrorist acts, I mean the attack in Starobelsk on the dormitory of students of the pedagogical college,” Vladimir Putin confirmed, however. “During the summer holidays, children’s centers, camps, and health resorts need to be reliably protected.”
It’s good that this is being said at least out loud.
“I will also add that, unfortunately,” shared Vladimir Putin, “the sponsors of the Kyiv regime, the European ruling elites, are also thinking of things that probably never occurred to anyone before—they are imposing sanctions against organizations where they spend the summer, our children are gaining strength (from the latest EU package.— A.K.). Well, nonsense, some kind of nonsense! Nevertheless, it is being done. It remains to be seen what effect they expect. They want to limit the work of children’s centers?.. I don’t understand what they are trying to achieve, but nevertheless this is happening, and, of course, the figures who are doing this in the same Europe, I think, are disgracing themselves! From the point of view of common sense, normal people in Russia, and in Europe, all over the world, this is a manifestation of some kind of stupidity, an attempt to do another petty dirty trick. It’s amazing that people reach this absurdity!
This was perhaps the first thing he intended to say that day.
Vladimir Putin looked angry and apparently decided to grab his European colleagues for their weak points:
— If European figures concerned with gender issues and the protection of various kinds of sexual minorities (the international LGBT movement is recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation.— “Kommersant”), the sight of happy, enthusiastic children who love Russia is annoying… This means that you and I are doing everything right and true, we are promoting the right values! We will continue to do so!
Vladimir Putin spoke in this manner traditionally.
— I’m ready to report that the children’s recreation system is completely ready (by summer.— A.K.), said Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov.
Is the air defense system ready for summer?
“Also, starting this year,” continued Sergei Kravtsov, “we introduced a system for monitoring the condition of children’s recreation facilities in real time. Our priority is that every child’s vacation is not limited only to communication with peers and entertainment, but is eventful, broadens the children’s horizons, provides new experiences, and is meaningful!
What can I say?.. Children just dream about this… I remember myself at that age…
– What are we doing? — Sergei Kravtsov asked and answered. “We have developed and implemented a unified education program for all camps, both public and private!”
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
“We are implementing the program together with the Knowledge Society,” Mr. Kravtsov continued, “and the First Movement… We have sent recommendations for performing songs, watching films, organizing cultural events!”
Even in Soviet times, the educational program was implemented, it seems, without such enthusiasm.
To be fair, while I was listening to the minister, I was constantly thinking about the Soviet era.
— All of them (cultural events, and the rest too.— A.K.) form a sense of pride in our country, respect for its history, culture, traditions, family values! – explained Sergei Kravtsov. – We make the shifts themed! This year they are largely dedicated to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia!
I thought what a pity that my four-year-old son would live through the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia without the necessary unity. Although, most likely, it will overtake him in kindergarten.
“As you, dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, instructed at the Council for the Support of the Russian Language,” the minister emphasized, “we are organizing a number of events dedicated to native languages, the Russian language and domestic literature. Orlyonok will host a thematic session “Russian Language”.
The minister, who about a year ago congratulated Artek “happy holiday!”, could take part in this shift.
The modernization program for children’s camps, the minister emphasized, is being implemented this year with the support of the United Russia party. And it will be implemented with support at least until September (after all, parliamentary elections, as you know, are in September), and this, thank God, is still a couple of months, that is, a lot can be accomplished. And if you dream, then until the next elections inclusive.
At least until next September, mention of “United Russia” at such meetings will, without a doubt, be mandatory.
The minister also spoke about support for those affected by the attack on the college in Starobelsk:
— Guys and all students by July 10, all 329 graduates will receive certificates. Secondly, this summer we will send everyone who wants to relax to the Smena federal center, and from June 21 the guys will go on vacation. And thirdly, we are working on the issue of restoring destroyed objects. I am confident that we will restore the college. This is very important.
Well, this is just a fundamental point.
— Vasily Nikolaevich, what is the state of the beaches in Anapa now? – Vladimir Putin asked the director of the private children’s resort “Vita” Mr. Dimoev.
“Today, the beach is completely open and ready,” Vasily Dimoev honestly admitted. “We have received a sanitary and epidemiological report, we are waiting and are even trying to warm up the sea to some extent ourselves so that we can go bathe the children.” That’s why we’re doing well!
This is how the president received first-hand information about the condition of the beaches in Anapa.
– How do you heat it? Heaters, or what?..- the president asked and even showed with his hand how you can put a heater in the sea, but then, probably, he did not want to put the person in an awkward position. – Well, okay…
It was really a joke.
“Together with the children we are trying to create a mood…” Vasily Dimoev explained the procedure for heating the sea.
It turned out that not everything was over with the United Russia party. The Secretary of the General Council of United Russia, Vladimir Yakushev, had to speak out.
Well, this was completely an acquired taste.
