Pirates, Orcas and Children's Smiles: HSE Family Day 2019

Every year, the organizers of Family Day—an annual HSE tradition—organize something special for HSE staff and their kids: in 2017 participants visited Kidzania - a real university for children; in 2018 the organizers turned the Academy of Sciences into a Higher School of Experiments; this year, organizers opted for  a marine theme. Staff and kids gathered at Moskvarium, the largest aquarium in Europe, housing more than 12,000 sea creatures.Guests were greeted by cheerful pirates and inflatable orcas, with whom they could get their pictures taken. The pictures were then made into magnets that guests could take with them as souvineers. Then guests were offered treats in a special zone.

A playground with competitions and different activities, including performances by magicians and master classes on how to make your own florarium, make 3D-figures or decorate  photo frames, were organized for children 4-5 years of age. Shortly after that, guests were treated to a water show: audience members ‘traveled’ around four world oceans and learned about the habitats of walruses, sea lions, dolphins, whales, and orcas.

Throughout the day, guests enjoyed theaquarium exhibits with stingrays, sharks, and octopuses, watched aquarium keepers  feed the seals, glimpsed an underwater mermaid and even touched some horseshoe crabs — ancient armored fish.
A record number of participants registered for Family Day 2019. The HSE HR Office managers received 1300 RSVPs It was the most popular holiday over the last 3 years.

Elizaveta Tikhonova, Leading Legal Adviser of the Legal Review and Education Support Unit of HSE Legal Office

When the pirates ‘attacked’ us, Chris was a little scared, but then he ran across the floor and played with them. It was funny! In the master class area they provided us with all the necessary materials (a mini-pool, colored sand, flower and shells) and explained how to make a beautifully decorated vase. Now we have a beautiful vase in our kitchen that is a delight to the eyes.

At 12:00 a water show began in the largest pool-which is several times larger than the size of the historical stage of the Bolshoi theatre. ‘We sat in the third row, and could see everything perfectly. We learnt a lot of interesting facts about the oceans and watched the ocean animals perform tricks. It was fun to contemplate the underwater world through giant aquariums. This was a wonderful day—the event gave us so many great memories!’ says Elizaveta.

April 25, 2019