On the way to the camp

Children from Russia went on vacation to the DPRK. Novyevropa tells how the selection of the North Korean Artek passed and what parents think of such a vacation

About 250 Russian schoolchildren went on vacation to the Sondovon camp in North Korea. To get the opportunity to visit this closed country, the children participated in a special competition and wrote an essay on the role of Russia “In the New Multipolar World”.

Novyevropa tells how the selection was held at the North Korean Artek, what program awaits his winners and what parents expect from the trip.

As part of the group that went to the camp in the DPRK,-children from the Primorsky Territory, Sakhalin, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Voronezh, Lipetsk, Orenburg regions, Krasnoyarsk and Krasnodar region. Schoolchildren will be in Sondovon, who again opened for foreign guests after a forced four -year covid pause, from July 22 to August 2.

According to the program for 2024, which the Government of the Primorsky Territory spoke about, schoolchildren will take part in “events strengthening the friendship of the two countries”, and will also go into the sea under sails, take Taekwondo and drawing. Children will participate in the events "Korea Day", "Day of Russia", "Scene of Talented Children", as well as in the "Friendship evening" and the competition of national kitchens. The program includes sports competitions, creative contests and a visit to Pyongyang and the Masikrensky ski resort.

The state youth “Movement of the First” announced the organization of such a summer vacation for Russian schoolchildren after the recent visit of Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang. According to the chairman of the board of movement Grigory Gurov, a ticket to the North Korean camp -

The “Direct Heritage of the World Youth Festival”, which, in his opinion, will give a “new impulse for the development of bilateral relations of public associations” of Russia and the DPRK.

The competition for students of grades 7-11 aged 14 to 17 years started on June 5. To take part, it was necessary to submit an application on the website of the "Movement of the First", as well as write an essay on one of the topics:

• “What do I see the role of Russia in the new multipolar world?”;

• “Why am I interested to visit the DPRK?”;

• “What would I like to tell the guys from the DPRK about Russia?”

In addition, the children had to record a video with the answer to the question of why they should win the competition, and place this video in their social networks. A trip to the DPRK is paid by the state.

In total, about 3.5 thousand applicants fought for a ticket. The winners of the competition have already visited Moscow, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok, where they visited the Far Eastern Federal University. Yesterday they arrived in Pyongyang, and then they will go to the North Korean Artek.

"Gift of fate"

Novye Europe talked with Tatyana*, Mother Alina*-one of the schoolgirls who is now on the way to the camp in the DPRK. According to Tatyana, she did not make a decision on the trip - Alina herself saw an announcement of the competition and wanted to take part in the selection.

- I think that the children themselves clearly understand why they went. In turn, as a parent, I expect that my child will receive a new experience of communication. This is an opportunity to see a completely different country and get acquainted with Korea. It is also an opportunity for my child to become the first of the “diplomats of friendship” - it is very important for her. She is a very responsible girl, understands the role of Russia in the modern world, she is very proud of her country and has all the skills of communication and reserves of social intelligence. This is a child who can represent our country, and I am very proud that she won this competition, says Tatyana.

A trip to North Korea is a “gift of fate”, since this region is of interest not only in children, but also in adults, it adds. Among other things,

This is an opportunity to look through the eyes of the child at the “actual reality that exists” in the DPRK,

Tatyana believes.

- Our task is to form opportunities for her to increase the desire to be active and feel the strength to influence the world. I am very proud that children are not afraid to take such responsibility - they are not afraid to talk about their country and find new friends. Of course, she, first of all, wants to see her old friends and meet new friends. In addition, she is very interested in Korea. We had a dream to accumulate money and go to South Korea. Well, the first step is a journey to North Korea, ”said Tatyana.

According to her, parents still feel concern about the trip of their children to such a country closed to the whole world that has their own certain traditions and customs. But this anxiety is rather “objective” and “technical”-for example, experiences due to heavy baggage, a long flight, lack of Internet at first, the interlocutor of Novo-Europe notes.

- But we knew very well that they would be met with open arms that they would be met at the level of heads of youth policy in North Korea. We knew that they would live in a very good hotel. We knew this because we know what North Korea is, ”she says.

Now Tatyana learns about the life of her daughter in the North Korean camp through the leaders of the "Movement of the First". But, according to her, children have the opportunity to buy a SIM card to communicate with parents.

"Something incredible"

The “Movement of the First” in the Irkutsk region told why the children decided to spend this summer in the Sondovon camp. According to the winners of the competition, this is an “interesting experience”, and to miss this event “it would be just a mistake”.

“The complete delight that I will finally be able to see such a country closed to all, into which we will all go together with the guys and [there] will all show and represent our Russia together,” said one of the schoolgirls.

The camp in North Korea is “this is something incredible,” another participant in the project agreed.

- I am waiting for a lot of impressions, the most important thing - the memories of the warm. I will remember this with warmth in the heart, ”she added.

“Sondovon”, built in the 1960s, is located on the coast of the Japanese Sea near the city of Vonsan, surrounded by pine forests. According to TASS, near the territory of the complex with an area of ​​more than 10 hectares is the beach where there is a water park and oceanarium, a sports complex and a zoo, a cinema and playgrounds.

In 2021, the Mosgortur reported what the Mosgortur reported about what the Sondovon was doing in Sondovon. According to the operator, the day in the camp began at 6:30 in the morning. At this time, guests and workers went to the square in front of the monument to Kim Il Saint and Kim Jong Ira and began to sweep it - this ritual, symbolizing “reverence and worship of the leaders”, was voluntary for vacationers , said “Mosgortur” ( one of the visitors of the camp in 2015 also spoke about this tradition - approx. Ed. ). Then the children did exercises and cleaned in their rooms. Whether the morning will begin in the camp now, is unknown now.

*The names of the heroes have been changed for security reasons