Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a new initiative to provide families with preschoolers a “children’s book card” worth 3,000 rubles and establish a new holiday, the Day of Languages of the Peoples of Russia. The announcement was made at a meeting of the Council for the Implementation of State Policy in the Field of Support for the Russian Language and Languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation.

The “children’s book card” program aims to increase the accessibility of children’s literature for families with young children. Putin emphasized that each child, upon reaching the age of three, should receive a card, which would be particularly beneficial for large families.

Putin highlighted the importance of books in the educational process and in fostering family traditions. The initiative seeks to support the development of literacy and a love for reading from an early age.

In addition to the book card program, Putin proposed establishing the Day of Languages of the Peoples of Russia, which would be celebrated annually on September 8. This date coincides with the birthday of Rasul Gamzatov, the renowned author of “Cranes.”

Putin noted that Gamzatov considered both Avar, the language in which he primarily created his works, and Russian as his native languages. He acknowledged the role of the Russian language in bringing Gamzatov’s work to international prominence.