Return of the White Flowers: - White Flower Day - a popular charitable event started back in 1910

For A Change, Dec-Jan, 2002 by Anastasia Stepanova

White Flower Day--a popular charitable event of the 1910s--has made a comeback in Nizhny Novgorod in response to the increase of tuberculosis (TB) in Russian cities.

Its roots go back to the TB epidemic at the beginning of the 20th century when a league to fight tuberculosis was established. Branches of the League were set up in different cities, including Nizhny Novgorod.

In August 1911 the first `White Flower Day' took place. It was a social event of the same order as the opening of the Nizhny Novgorod International Fair and the Christmas Ball at the Governor's Palace. `From one street to another, from Zarech'e over the bridge, up the hill and in the opposite direction there were white rivers flowing,' stated the chronicles.

Getting involved in charitable work was very popular among the upper classes, especially high society girls, as it was a good means for self-realization and demonstrating care and concern for the poor. `Almost everyone wore a white flower pinned to their hat or jacket as they walked around the city park. Those who didn't were frowned upon.' It became a fashion: one perfume-maker even created a new fragrance called `White Daisy'.

The main aim of the event was not only to raise funds but also to inform people about the symptoms and consequences of TB. `It used to be called the revolutionaries' disease as it swallowed up the fighters for a brighter future who were sent into exile or to prison,' says Alla Balashova, the main initiator of today's event in Nizhny Novgorod. `At times of social and economic instability, when people work till they are totally worn out, they become easy targets.'

The events of 1911, 1912 and 1913 were so effective that the need to raise funds disappeared. But 85 years later TB came back to Russia including the Nizhny Novgorod region. `The situation was really desperate, especially in children's TB hospitals,' says Balashova. `So the revival of the White Flowers was not that romantic.'

In August 1998 in Nizhny Novgorod the number of children aged under 15 with latent TB infection totalled about 54,500 (23 per cent of that age group) and about 21,500 older teenagers (39.2 per cent) were also affected. Balashova, who is the main editor of the Sluzhenye NGOs' newsletter, learned of these hair-raising statistics at a TB conference and was inspired to launch the initiative. `There is not enough medicine or food for children nor the necessary medical equipment for treating them,' says Balashova. `The hospitals are overcrowded with children with TB--and most of them need serious repairs.'

The Sluzhenye Association (which supports local community groups) and local NGO leaders decided that all the money collected would go to help hospitals treating children with TB. On White Flower Day 1998--just like in 1911--doctors lectured, volunteers distributed leaflets, orchestras played and a ceremonial procession took place in the city centre.

By the end of the event more than 52,000 roubles (just over [pounds sterling] 1,000) had been raised in cash and kind from companies and individuals' donations.

White Flower Day 1999 aimed at raising funds not only for children but also for prisoners.

Over the last four years over 1,000 volunteers have taken part and a lot of coins have been put into charitable boxes. The event has united people of all ages and occupations.

`It was so genuine', comments Balashova. `A private entrepreneur taking some money out of his pocket or an old lady carrying a sack of apples from her garden--neither of them expected public praise.'