Fairytales are great, but what about Young Pioneers? Lo and behold: my mother’s birthday bash!

My mom was born in 1958 and spent most of her life living in the Soviet Union. At the age of 10 like the rest of the kids she became a Young Pioneer, an organization similar to girl/boy scouts but with a more political agenda. Of course, being a 10 year old few understand what it actually means, aside from wearing a badge and a red scarf. When Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the pioneer tradition died with it. These days, you will never see a live pioneer on the street.


Guests dressed like Young Pioneers

In the spirit of kitsch and nostalgia, mom decided Pioneers to be the theme of her birthday soiree. Guests wore traditional uniforms, which is a white top, dark bottom, big white bows for girls and a red scarf around the neck for both genders. Dressed in traditional pioneer garb, we first went to a cafe and then proceeded to The Cloisters museum which happened to be having a Russian Children’s Festival that day. We were recognized immediately at the festival and literally mobbed by people wanting to take a picture of/with us!! Who knew this would be such a hit?


Me, Kat, mom and her friend Lena. The toy is a cartoon character named Cheburashka.

Pioneer salute (except elbow is supposed to be lower, I think). This looks like a real old-times Soviet photograph to me, found in a book or someone’s photo album…


Bad pioneers!

Ok, so maybe we weren’t squeaky-clean Pioneers. In fact, we smuggled in champagne & beer and sang obscene Russian songs! For the record, Pioneers are not supposed to indulge in smoking, drinking or sex, and even slow-dancing should be performed at a “pioneer distance” (real expression)!!!


See? Bad Pioneers – probably about to be expelled! And yes, Mark is wearing a boyscouts hat.


Campfire singing: another pioneer tradition. We sang ridiculous Soviet songs.


No bonfire, but does this Russian candy count?

Happy Birthday, mom! You are the bestest pioneer mother one could ever ask for – take my honest Pioneer word for it! :)