School bells were replaced with songs about family and the Motherland in Nizhny Novgorod schools in November.

      12 November 2025 07:00 Society

      In November, in schools across the Nizhny Novgorod region, musical pieces dedicated to three holidays — the Day of National Unity (November 4), World Pianist Day (November 8) and Mother's Day (November 30) — are played during breaks instead of the traditional bells. The campaign is part of the federal project "Melodies Instead of Bells" and is being implemented by the Center for Comprehensive Child Development "Progress" with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. The initiative contributes to achieving the goals of the new national project "Youth and Children."

      The regional Ministry of Education and Science notes that replacing bells with thematic melodies has aroused lively interest among students. This form of presenting information helps children become more familiar with the national culture.

      This month pieces (6+) reflecting patriotic and family values are being played: "My Brothers" (Zhanna Gorelova), "Mother Russia" (Olga Semenova), "Beloved Russia" (Elena Plotnikova), "We Are United! Invincible!" (lyrics by Evgeny Vorobyov, music by Alexey Garnizov), as well as "The Flag of My State" (Denis Maidanov).

      Mikhail Puchkov, Minister of Education and Science of the Nizhny Novgorod region, emphasized that music can become a powerful tool for fostering interest in culture and history. According to him, thematic compositions help students feel the atmosphere of historical events and better understand the significance of commemorative dates. He also noted that November is rich in important holidays, and music dedicated to these events helps instill patriotism, respect for family and traditions in children.

      The campaign is supported by many schools in the region. In particular, at School No. 7 in the city of Bogorodsk, an open lesson was held for sixth graders where the students, together with their class teacher Olga Malyanova, recalled the melodies that had been played during breaks throughout the year. The teacher presented a "Musical Calendar," after which the students took part in a "Guess the Melody" quiz.

      Sixth-grader Yegor Lubsky admitted that he enjoyed guessing familiar tunes. He was especially struck by the composition "We Are United! Invincible!", which, he said, truly brings everyone together. He also noted that more than 100 nationalities live in the Nizhny Novgorod region, and it is important to preserve tolerance and respect for one another.

      The national project "Youth and Children" has been implemented since 2025 by order of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It comprises nine federal programs, including: "Russia — a Land of Opportunity," "We Are Together," "Russia in the World," "All the Best for Children," "Leading Schools," "Teachers and Mentors," "Creating a Network of Modern Campuses," "Universities for a Generation of Leaders," and "Professional Education."

      Earlier it was reported that six Nizhny Novgorod schools received awards based on the results of the All-Russian Olympiad.

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