Baikal is the cleanest and deepest lake in the world, and its history dates back more than 20 million years. This largest freshwater reservoir, created by nature itself, is part of the world heritage, and in 1999 a holiday was established in his honor.
Lake Baikal Day was recently established, in 1999, but the popularity of this holiday has already made it one of the important calendar dates. It is celebrated throughout Russia and prepared for it in advance. Events dedicated to the Day of Baikal are held in many cities. Under his auspices, festivals, concerts, cultural and scientific exhibitions, sports and theater performances are organized.
The date dedicated to the ancient lake varies from year to year. Until 2008, it was on the fourth Sunday of August, then on the second Sunday of September. The purpose of all events is to draw attention to environmental issues, which every day become an increasingly burning topic. Environmental subbotniks are dedicated to them, during which garbage is collected from the coasts of reservoirs throughout the country.
The establishment of a holiday dedicated to Lake Baikal is associated with the adoption in 1999 of the legal basis for its protection. This pond is unique in its diversity of flora and fauna, an impressive part of the species of plants and animals lives only here. Thanks to the adopted standards, a special list of prohibited activities on the territory of the lake and the surrounding area has been formed. In 2008, the work of the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill, the main source of industrial waste polluting the lake, was limited.
In a short time of the existence of Baikal Day, its traditions appeared. For example, for seven years, a festival of international scale has been held in Irkutsk, within the framework of which documentaries and educational films from the series "Man and Nature" are shown to children and adults. Schools in the surrounding region host lessons on lake history and environmental issues. Every year, the Irkutsk Museum of Local History organizes a children's tournament "Knights of Baikal", summarizes the results of creative and scientific competitions held throughout the previous year.
At the end of all the events of the day, the participants come together to walk along the Angarsk bridge to the Irkutsk monument to Alexander III. The final action is called “After the holiday it should be clean!”, During which order is put in place on the promenade, streets, paths and lawns.
