HOW IT ALL BEGUN. ARTEK IN THE 1920s

On June 16, 1925, children’s voices could be heard at the foot of Ayu-Dag, also known as Bear Mountain, and a flag of the Russian Red Cross was raised. This was the beginning of a pioneer health camp. It was called Artek, borrowing the name from the area where it was located.

In the first years of its existence, Artek operated only during the summer months, with 320 children attending its first summer session.

Later that year, in August 1925, Klara Tsetkin, a prominent political figure at that time, visited the camp. This is how she described it in one of her articles about the trip: “Do you want to see free and happy children? Just visit the summer camp organized by the Red Cross in Artek…"

Artek first became an international destination with the arrival of three young pioneers from Germany in 1926.

By the late 1920s, Artek welcomed children from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, the US and France.

Later that year, in August 1925, Klara Tsetkin, a prominent political figure at that time, visited the camp. This is how she described it in one of her articles about the trip: “Do you want to see free and happy children? Just visit the summer camp organized by the Red Cross in Artek…”

Artek first became an international destination with the arrival of three young pioneers from Germany in 1926.

By the late 1920s, Artek welcomed children from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, the US and France.