With bamboo cakes, carrot “greeting cards,” and dragon dance performances, the panda house at Moscow Zoo was bustling on August 24, as many visitors gathered to celebrate the first birthday of “Katyusha,” the first giant panda born in Russia.
“Cultural Ambassador”
“Katyusha,” only one year old, primarily consumes her mother’s milk and occasionally tries other foods. Therefore, the birthday cake, made of bamboo and adorned with bamboo leaves and flowers, holds symbolic significance. Moscow Zoo director Akulova explained that a carrot “birthday card” was also created for “Katyusha.”
On this special day, her parents, giant pandas “Ruyi” and “Ding Ding,” also received bamboo cakes decorated with fruit.
In a video released by Akulova, “Katyusha” curiously inspected the cake, chewed on bamboo, and observed her image on a “bamboo TV.”
In addition to gifts for the panda family, the zoo organized activities such as lantern painting, soft brush calligraphy, and dragon dancing, attracting many visitors to watch and participate. Panda-themed dances also engaged several children.
According to Akulova, the birthday celebration activities will last for a week. Visitors will be able to take part in a variety of cultural events, including fan dance flash mobs, Chinese painting, knot tying, panda-themed lectures, and screenings of “Katyusha’s” growth films.
“On her first birthday, ‘Katyusha,’ the cultural ambassador between Russia and China, received many blessings from the Russian public,” Akulova stated. “We hope ‘Katyusha’ will forever symbolize the peace and friendship between our two countries.”
Russian Netizens Adore “Katyusha”
“The national sweetheart Katyusha is already one year old… She weighed only 150 grams at birth, but now she weighs 38 kilograms. Katyusha skillfully climbs up and down, mimicking her mother ‘Ding Ding,’” wrote Moscow Mayor Sobyanin on social media on the 24th.
He noted that around 15,000 people visit the Chinese animal house at Moscow Zoo daily to catch a glimpse of “Katyusha.”
“Katyusha” was born on August 24, 2023, to giant pandas “Ding Ding” and “Ruyi” at Moscow Zoo, marking the first giant panda born in Russia. Subsequently, over 380,000 people participated in an online voting campaign to name the cub “Katyusha.”
Since her birth, Moscow Zoo and Director Akulova have frequently posted on social media to document “Katyusha’s” growth. Each milestone—from “Katyusha” growing her “black vest,” opening her eyes, sprouting teeth, taking her first steps, to playing with bamboo—has garnered enthusiastic interaction from netizens.
Akulova previously stated in an interview that the birth of the giant panda cub is one of the “milestone events” in the history of Moscow Zoo, holding significant meaning for Russia. Each step of “Katyusha’s” growth resonates with the hearts of the people in both Russia and China.
It was noted that after “Katyusha” turns two, the zoo will provide her with larger indoor and outdoor facilities and the same amount of bamboo as adult pandas.
“We will also reach out to Chinese experts to inquire about where the panda princess will go in the future and where her panda prince will await her,” Akulova added.