The Pioneers were members of the Pioneer Organization of the Soviet Union, a socialist organization for children aged 9 to 14 from 1922 to 1991. The organization was created to support the ideology of communism and share it with children. Most children in the USSR wanted to join the Pioneers, as it was a kind of honorary title.
The members of the Pioneer Organization were obliged to follow the traditions, rules and customs of the organization. The Pioneer oath was part of this tradition. They also had to study, work and spend their free time according to the regulations of the Pioneer Organization.
The pioneers participated in many activities in the community, such as helping to organize sports and cultural events, charity events, and other projects. The pioneers also had their own symbols, such as a red tie and the sign of the Pioneer Organization, which they were required to wear.
With the collapse of the USSR, the Pioneer Organization ceased to exist and its place was taken by other organizations for children in Russia and other countries that strive to help children develop and become active members of society.
Pioneer Day holiday
The USSR Pioneer Day was celebrated annually on May 19 in honor of the birthday of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, who was considered the founder of the children’s movement in Russia. The Pioneer Day was held at the school level and included ceremonial assemblies, competitions, games, sports competitions, initiation of newcomers into pioneers, etc. An important part of the celebration was the performance of groups such as pioneer squads and choirs, as well as mass dances and songs. The holiday also usually included giving out gifts and sweets to children. The celebration of Pioneer Day was mandatory for all schoolchildren and was considered one of the important events in the lives of young people in the USSR.
Pioneer’s Oath
When joining the pioneers, everyone had to take an oath. Something like this:
I, a young pioneer of the Soviet Union, joining the ranks of pioneers, swear to love my Motherland, its peoples, freedom and justice, to always remember the exploits of my ancestors – defenders of the Motherland, to be worthy of my parents, masters, teachers and the pioneer law, to study hard, to try to serve the people and communism all my life. I am ready to always be ready to defend my Motherland and to be an organizer of youth labor teams.
Pioneer tie
The pioneer tie is a symbol used by pioneers, members of the All-Union Pioneer Organization, during their events and public appearances. The tie was red and triangular in shape. It was worn over a shirt and tied at the neck with a knot. The tie was one of the main elements of the pioneer uniform, which also included a white shirt, a blue jacket, and blue trousers or a skirt. Pioneers wore ties for holidays, rallies, processions, and other events, as well as in everyday life at school or outside of it, for example, at a pioneer camp. In the modern world, the tie symbolizes the memory of childhood and the times when pioneers were active participants in the life of society.
Horn
The pioneer bugle is a musical wind instrument that was used by the pioneers (a Soviet children’s organization) to organize sports and tourist events.
Today, the term “pioneer bugle” is used mainly in a historical context to recall the social organization that pioneers led and the many different activities they carried out within the framework of this organization.