The Drawn Path: How and What Russian Animation Taught Us
11.06.2025
On June 9, as part of the project of the Faculty of Journalism, Lomonosov Moscow State University "Children's Media Mondays at VDNKh," a lecture by Research Fellow Daryana Babyna was held. The audience learned how Soviet and Russian animation reflect the cultural codes and traditions of our country.
Animation is associated with myth and fairy tales, which since ancient times have helped people understand the structure of the world and find their place in it. Through recognizable images of people, animals, or magical creatures, the vices and virtues of society are revealed, and the audience, even in childhood, develops a system of values based on domestic culture. "Cultural codes and universal human values are the basis of folklore and later of animation creativity. It is important for the viewer to see characters—members of society who participate in his life, are friends, or overcome the same difficulties," noted Daryana Babyna.
In different historical periods, our traditions, images, and everyday stories became the basis for works of Russian animation. The first puppet cartoons (1906–1909) by Alexander Shiryaev reproduced ballet parts for the artists of the Mariinsky Theater; the animation of the 1920s became a space for experiments—a search for a creative path capable of raising a new Soviet person; and cartoons of the Soviet republics helped rethink folk stories. "The theme of family and child socialization acquired special significance—especially with the advent of home televisions and television animation, which took responsibility for the upbringing of the young generation," emphasized Daryana Babyna. According to the lecturer, modern Russian animation is increasingly returning to its roots and invites both children and adults to think about the eternal questions of good and evil.
The next meeting within the framework of "Children's Media Mondays at VDNKh" on June 16 will be led by Apollinaria Soldatova, a Lecturer at the Faculty of Journalism. She will give a speech on the topic "How do Russian fairy tales and legends influence fashion in Russia?" and will discuss how culture influences the fashion industry.
Photo: Olga Vladychenko
On June 9, as part of the project of the Faculty of Journalism, Lomonosov Moscow State University "Children's Media Mondays at VDNKh," a lecture by Research Fellow Daryana Babyna was held. The audience learned how Soviet and Russian animation reflect the cultural codes and traditions of our country. Animation is associated with myth and fairy tales, which since ancient times have helped people understand the structure of the world and find their place in it. Through recognizable images of people, animals, or magical creatures, the vices and virtues of society are revealed, and the audience, even in childhood, develops a system of values based on domestic culture. "Cultural codes and universal human values are the basis of folklore and later of animation creativity. It is important for the viewer to see characters—members of society who participate in his life, are friends, or overcome the same difficulties," noted Daryana Babyna.
In different historical periods, our traditions, images, and everyday stories became the basis for works of Russian animation. The first puppet cartoons (1906–1909) by Alexander Shiryaev reproduced ballet parts for the artists of the Mariinsky Theater; the animation of the 1920s became a space for experiments—a search for a creative path capable of raising a new Soviet person; and cartoons of the Soviet republics helped rethink folk stories. "The theme of family and child socialization acquired special significance—especially with the advent of home televisions and television animation, which took responsibility for the upbringing of the young generation," emphasized Daryana Babyna. According to the lecturer, modern Russian animation is increasingly returning to its roots and invites both children and adults to think about the eternal questions of good and evil.
The next meeting within the framework of "Children's Media Mondays at VDNKh" on June 16 will be led by Apollinaria Soldatova, a Lecturer at the Faculty of Journalism. She will give a speech on the topic "How do Russian fairy tales and legends influence fashion in Russia?" and will discuss how culture influences the fashion industry.
Photo: Olga Vladychenko