On April 12, 2025, Russia celebrated Cosmonautics Day, a significant occasion marking the International Day of Human Space Flight. This day is a tribute to the pioneers of space exploration, including Yuri Gagarin, Sergei Korolev, Valentina Tereshkova, and Alexei Leonov. It is a time for reflection and honor, as the nation remembers the achievements that have propelled humanity into the cosmos.
In the spirit of this celebration, various events took place across the country, including special festivities in the parks of the Moscow region. The main venue for the celebrations was the Central City Park in Korolev, where a range of activities were organized to engage the public in the wonders of space.
The day kicked off at noon with an interactive game program titled "To the Moon and Back" at the "Territory of Space" rotunda, inviting participants to embark on exciting cosmic adventures. Concurrently, a master class dubbed "Space Rocket" was held in the "PROknowledge" pavilion, allowing children to create their own rocket models from 12:00 to 13:00.
From 12:00 to 14:00, the Molodezhny Center "Cosmos" screened a documentary about Yuri Gagarin, showcasing the life and achievements of the first human in space. Following this, at 14:00, renowned astronomers Boris and Roman Safonov presented a lecture titled "Forward to Distant Worlds!" which aimed to inspire attendees about the future of space exploration.
Throughout the day, guests could also participate in a culinary show called "Pilots to Space," where they learned to prepare pancakes with a space theme, running from 12:00 to 16:00 on the art veranda. Additionally, a unique exhibition titled "Step into Space" was open in the "PROknowledge" pavilion from 12:00 to 20:00, featuring impressive photographs and materials related to space exploration.
As the day progressed, from 15:00 to 17:00, visitors enjoyed board games and quizzes in the same pavilion, followed by an open lesson on selecting telescopes at 17:00. The celebration culminated with evening stargazing sessions through telescopes at the Central City Square, allowing attendees to connect with the universe.
Earlier that day, the grandchildren of Sergei Korolev laid flowers at the "Star People of the Earth" monument, honoring their grandfather's legacy as the father of the Soviet space program.
Among those celebrating were individuals who share names with these legendary figures, like Pavel Korolev, a doctor-urologist from Kaluga, the birthplace of cosmonautics in Russia. Pavel often jokes about his name, which is spelled with an 'e' rather than 'ё'. He has been asked numerous times if he is related to the famed rocket designer Sergei Korolev, prompting him and his family to trace their genealogy, only to find they are not direct descendants.
Despite this, Pavel has a deep connection to the cosmos, having grown up surrounded by the history of space exploration. He recalls visiting planetariums and museums dedicated to cosmonautics as a child, fostering his fascination with the field. "I remember Belka and Strelka, and I was particularly interested in the exhibits about astronaut food," he shared in an interview.
Pavel works in healthcare and has been a urologist since 2008. He expressed a desire to fly into space himself, joking that he would love to say the iconic phrase, "Let's go!" before launching into orbit. "If I were offered a chance to fly, I would definitely undergo all necessary tests and training first," he stated, adding a humorous note about wanting Wi-Fi in space to share photos from orbit.
Another name that stands out is Nikolai Gagarin, a confectioner and three-time champion of Russia in pastry art. He has made a name for himself by creating the largest gingerbread cookie in the shape of a Christmas tree, earning a place in the Russian Book of Records. Nikolai, who also hosts a cooking show, expressed pride in sharing a surname with Yuri Gagarin, emphasizing his ambition to be the best in his field. "I want to create the tallest cake with a space theme by April 12, 2026, and I’m confident it will be a record-breaker!" he declared.
Alexei Leonov, another namesake of a famous cosmonaut, works as an anesthesiologist and also enjoys DJing. He has gained recognition in the music scene, being named the best DJ in Russia last year. Alexei shared a humorous family story about his father, a military pilot who once had to negotiate for leave by invoking the name of his famous relative, Alexei Leonov. "I would fly to space if given the chance, but maybe I'm too old for that now," he reflected.
David Leonov, a professional motocross racer, also carries the legacy of his namesake. He and his brother, Vladimir, have been competing under numbers that pay homage to Alexei Leonov's historic spacewalk in 1965. David shared that while his surname doesn’t significantly impact his career, he respects the achievements of those in aviation and space. "If offered a trip to space, I would definitely say yes. It’s an interesting experience, and the risks don’t scare me," he said.
Lastly, Elizaveta Tereshkova, who works in the WOW department of Life.ru, shared her experiences living with the surname of the first woman in space. "From a young age, my father emphasized the importance of our family name, and I often joked about being related to Valentina Tereshkova," she recalled. While she enjoys astronomy and science fiction, Elizaveta has no plans to fly into space herself, jokingly noting that she feels the influence of the cosmos during full moons.
As Russia commemorates Cosmonautics Day, it’s clear that the legacy of its space heroes continues to inspire not just those who share their names but also generations of Russians united in their fascination with the stars.
