First in Space: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's Flight

On April 12, 1961, one of the greatest milestones in the history of mankind was achieved: the spaceship Vostok launched the first manned flight into space. This event became a symbol of a dream come true, a triumph of science, determination and unprecedented personal courage. In honor of the 50th anniversary of this event, the Russkiy Mir Foundation is launching the First in Space public awareness and celebration campaign. The Foundation invites people on all continents to join us in celebrating Gagarin’s timeless feat.

First in Space ⁄ News ⁄

Captain Earth Festival Starts in Beijing May 5, 2011

On May 5, the Captain Earth festival began at the Beijing University of Foreign Languages. The festival is a natural continuation of the Festival of Russian Culture recently held at the university.

First in Space Participants Bring Flowers to Tsiolkovsky Monument in Borovsk Apr 20, 2011

On April 20, as a part of the First in Space campaign, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the monument to Konstantin Tsiolkovsky in the town of Borovsk in the Kaluga region.

First in Space Campaign Concludes with Ceremony in Moscow Apr 19, 2011

The First in Space campaign held by the Russkiy Mir Foundation in honor of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s flight into outer space concluded on April 19.

Cosmonaut Visits Dresden for First in Space Campaign Apr 13, 2011

On April 13, at the invitation of the German-Russian Institute of the Culture and with the support of the Rossotrudnichestvo office in Berlin, cosmonaut Sergei Avdeyev arrived in Dresden.

Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia Holds First in Space Competition Apr 13, 2011

On April 10, the School for Raising Qualifications of Teachers of Russian as a Foreign Language at PFUR with support from the Russkiy Mir Foundation held an entertaining intellectual competition on the first flight into outer space by Yuri Gagarin.

Gagarin-50 Contest Held in Budapest Apr 12, 2011

As a part of the First in Space Campaign, on April 11 the Russian Center in Budapest held a contest devoted to Soviet and Russian cosmonautics. A total of 22 schoolchildren from various cities throughout Hungary participated in the contest.

Partners of First in Space Present Film “Yuri Gagarin’s 108 Minutes” Apr 12, 2011

On April 12, the Polytechnic Museum in Moscow held a presentation of the film “Yuri Gagarin’s 108 Minutes”. The film was made by students of the Moscow Aviation Institute and the Russian Aerospace Initiative – a partner of the First in Space campaign.

“Hurrah, Yura! – Balloon Release in Lugansk on Cosmonautics Day Apr 12, 2011

On April 12, Cosmonautics Day, as a part of the international First in Space campaign, a “Hurrah, Yura!” flash-mob took place at the central entrance of the Lugansk Regional Library.