Russia Day 2019

Today’s Doodle by St. Petersburg-based guest artists Anya and Varya Kendel salutes Russia Day, celebrating the world’s largest country and the accomplishments of its people all around the world.

June 12th marks the 1990 declaration that signaled the birth of the independent Russian Federation, as well as the dissolution of the Soviet Union on the same day a year later. Declared an official national holiday in 1994, the “Day of Signing the Declaration of State Sovereignty” commemorates the birth of a new nation, the creation of the post of President, the adoption of the red, white, and blue national flag, and the new national anthem. The holiday was renamed Russia Day in 2002.

Russia Day is observed all across the country—from major metropolitan centers such as St. Petersburg to smaller cities like Kemerovo, Perm, Veliky Novgorod, Krasnoyarsk, and Tambov—with concerts and other cultural activities by day and fireworks at night.

This Doodle also highlights the beauty of Russia’s natural landscapes, featuring some of its most iconic sights, such as Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus; the Klyuchevskaya volcano; and Siberia’s Lake Baikal, the oldest and deepest lake in the world, with its distinctive Shamanka Rock.

С днем России! (Happy Russia Day)!

Guest Artists Q&A with Anna and Varvara Kendel

Today's Doodle was created by St. Petersburg-based guest artists Anna and Varvara Kendel. Below they share their thoughts behind making the Doodle:

Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally?
A: We love to travel around Russia. We have visited many places and want to convey their beauty.  We believe that it is important to treat nature carefully.

Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project?
A: Wow, this project suits us one hundred percent!

Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular on this Doodle?
A: It was necessary to draw inspiration from the natural sights of Russia. We recently returned from a trip to Lake Baikal and the Kola Peninsula, and we were full of inspiration from these places.
 

Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle?
A: Russia is a very beautiful country, and our nature must not only be used but also treated carefully. The Day of Russia is a public holiday because taking care of nature is important for the state. We also want every person to feel a responsibility for maintaining nature’s purity and beauty.

 

Early illustration by guest artists Anya and Varya Kendel