Humanity throughout its history has been striving for wars with enviable constancy. There may be many reasons for presenting a diplomatic note that the war will begin soon. In ancient times, wars were predatory, from a position of strength. Often the cause of the attack was a beautiful woman who was “not divided” by opponents. Now the so-called economic cannibalism has come into vogue. But whatever the reasons for the declaration of hostilities, most of all during their conduct, the civilian defenseless population suffers: women, children and the elderly. In order to draw public attention to the flagrant unfair situation and perpetuate the memory of the dead, a touching and significant holiday of the White Cranes was established.
Thirst for life
Before moving on to the story of how it is customary to celebrate the White Cranes festival in elementary school, what literary and poetic materials are used in this case, whether the use of visualization justifies itself, it is necessary to explain how it all began.
A long time ago, back in August 1945, a terrible event occurred: the American nuclear bomb fell on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. A terrible catastrophe instantly claimed millions of innocent lives, but this was only the beginning. The invisible radiation death for decades continued to collect its inevitable harvest. Many people fell ill with severe forms of radiation sickness, causing irreversible oncological changes in the tissues of the body.
One of the victims of this deadly disease was a little girl named Sadako. After some time, she found an incurable disease: bleeding. But we are alive while hope is alive. The girl firmly believed in her recovery. This belief was supported by an old legend that a person who can make a thousand origami in the form of white cranes will certainly fulfill his most cherished desire. As a result, the dying child made only 644 cranes before the deadly disease nevertheless triumphed.
Historical reference
During his time in Japan, a truly famous poet poet Rasul Gamzatov learned about this piercing event. He could not help but be touched by the story of a little girl who fell victim to monstrous adult mistakes. As a creative person, the Dagestan poet wrote a beautiful poem, on which he was inspired by the fate of the unfortunate Sadako. Now this work in a slightly revised version has become a famous song that cannot be listened to without tears. It was performed by Mark Bernes, and it is called "Cranes."
The tragic event and the song created by the Dagestan poet gave rise to such a wonderful event as the celebration of the White Cranes. In 1986, on a warm August day, a monument to cranes in Dagestan was unveiled. This date can be safely considered the beginning of the celebration of the Day of Remembrance of the innocent victims who died during bloody conflicts of all time. And also the White Crane festival has become a literary event, since it is the chanting of heroes and martyrs that leaves their memory for centuries.
The symbolic meaning of the holiday
The crane as a symbol of peace, innocence and kindness was not chosen by chance. Many peoples of the world included this proud and beautiful bird in their legends and sagas. The Romans and Egyptians considered the crane a messenger of the Sun, a symbol of friendship and kindness. The Greeks identified him with the refined Apollo, the owner of indescribable beauty and the messenger of spring. The Chinese, on the other hand, considered the crane a symbol of holiness, purity, and also a vehicle between the world of the living and the host of spirits. In fact, the crane in the Middle Kingdom was considered the king of birds.
If we return to the views of the Japanese, it is the crane that they associate with longevity and love of life. Therefore,
Sadako Sasaki tried to realize a burning desire to live with the help of a beautiful legend. In honor of this sad event, in order to leave it for centuries, a Peace Monument was erected.
White Crane: Elementary School
The scenario of the White Cranes Festival event must begin with the announcement of the touching and sad history of the Japanese girl. It is worth adding to the above that so far people have been sending hundreds of cranes to the memorial, which little Sadako did not have time to make. A huge number of them are stored near the monument in glass boxes. The land, poisoned by radiation, deprived the forces of a girl who passionately wanted to live, therefore, in order to no longer allow the innocent victims of the wars waged by someone, one should not forget about this terrible story.
The entry should be accompanied by documentary images of the Hiroshima disaster and the monument to the girl with the crane. Depending on the technical equipment, these may be photographs, slides or video materials. Although, to display the spirit of the time, it is preferable to scroll through slides that will flicker in the darkness of the hall like an old newsreel.
Ideas for the script
Be sure to pay attention to the fact that on this day (October 22) they recall untimely deaths not only during the nuclear explosion in Hiroshima, but also those who suffered in the New York terrorist attacks, the Moscow tragedy in the Nord-Ost and the brutal massacre of children in Beslan. They recall Afghanistan and Grozny, Khatyn and Kaspiysk.
The scenario of the "White Crane Festival" in elementary school includes the following items:
- At first, in addition to the well-known story about the fate of a Japanese girl, children should listen to the song "Japanese Crane". This will create the necessary lyrical atmosphere.
- After that, it is necessary to talk about the Dagestan poet Rasul Gamzatov, briefly focusing on some details of his biography. In particular, on the basis that this man has been deservedly awarded numerous prizes and titles, his poetry has forever entered the treasury of world culture. Children should find out that it was he who became the founder of the holiday. Further, it is worth saying that after a trip to Japan for mourning events dedicated to the tragic date, Rasul Gamzatov wrote the legendary song “Cranes”. It was translated into Russian and now not a single White Crane holiday can do without it. Of course, after this you should listen to a touching piece.
- The song performed by Mark Bernes has long turned into a requiem for people who died during wars and armed conflicts. In the Caucasus, it is believed that warriors who have died in the struggle turn into white cranes. It is necessary to convey to children the idea that this holiday is necessary so that the descendants remember and beware of starting a war. So that those nameless and famous heroes who died on the path of war are never forgotten.
- Be sure to include in the event called the “White Crane Festival” (script for children) references to numerous monuments erected in the vast post-Soviet space. This is a whole gallery of memorials and monuments - 24 sculptural compositions dedicated to the world and depicting cranes. Be sure to reinforce the words with relevant video materials.
- Together with the children, one needs to recall the brutal wars that took place relatively recently in the long-suffering history of the planet. First of all, this is World War II, which claimed millions of lives, crippled many destinies and changed the course of history. It is also necessary to mention the armed conflicts in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Transnistria. It will be useful to invite veterans of one of these wars to the event, to listen to the painful and heroic memories of eyewitnesses, those who were a child during the war years. The relevant accompaniment to such recollections is the famous songs of the war years.
- For greater realism and understanding of what happened during the war years, you can depict a small fragment from the story of Boris Vasilyev, entitled "But the dawns here are quiet." This work is about the great feat of fragile girls who were destined to die, honestly fulfilling their duty. The host and the actors depicting the heroines of the story distribute roles among themselves in advance.
- At the end of the event, the children stand a mournful moment of silence and light candles in memory of those who died in all wars.
The holiday is not complete without a large number of thematic poems and songs. You can organize a competition of drawings, including on asphalt.
Literary conversations: pen samples
In addition to paying tribute to those who died in wars and terrorist acts, the event includes a creative component. Like the White Cranes literary festival, the script should be rife with poetic accents. For example, in addition to the works of famous poets, it is permissible to add children's poems and works of local poets.
People, take a look at the world!
The stars above you shine ...
Stars of the war do not want!
This is a guideline for you.
Explosions, and pain, and fire,
The city behind the smoke has disappeared
The stars from heaven are watching
Seeing a military nightmare!
Earth wounds hurt
The burn is terrible on souls.
This is a lesson for posterity:
Those who remain mourn.
How to organize an event in the library?
The script of the "White Cranes Festival" in the library should be rich in literary inserts, an abundance of visibility, slides and filmstrips. The place itself is thought-provoking, so the sad day of commemoration of those who died in wars and terrorist acts is the best suited for this room.
In addition to the history of the holiday, children will get acquainted with the work of Gamzatov, will be interested in works about the war that belong to the pen of various authors. The library on this day should be thematically designed so that even a casual visitor does not leave indifferent. It is necessary to make commemorative bookmarks with historical references on the topic and military poems. From time to time, you need to show a video clip with a song performed by Mark Bernes “Cranes”. This will create the necessary reverent atmosphere.
You can organize the production of a joint collage with cranes attached to the layout of the globe. A spectacular and memorable event will be the launch of white balloons with cranes in the autumn sky.
The library event is not complete without music and songs popular in the war years.
Forever frozen
So, on October 22, the whole world (by UNESCO resolution) holds commemorative ceremonies in honor of the innocent victims of war on the roads.
It is noteworthy that the monuments to the birds of good and peace are erected not only in Russia, the CIS republics, in Japan, but also in other countries. For example, a stunning sculptural composition with the image of cranes flaunts in the Danish capital. There is a similar statue in Hollywood. It unites world states in their quest for peace and prosperity. As long as this momentous holiday exists, the world will not forget the innocent victims of brutal useless wars.