VLADIMIR PUTIN turns 60 today but what does one get the man who has everything?
On previous birthdays, he has been given tiger cubs and calendars featuring scantily clad women. He has celebrated with his old friends and former statesmen Silvio Berlusconi and Gerhard Schroder.
This year, as he faces an unprecedented challenge from tens of thousands of opposition protesters, many expected the celebrations would be more discreet.
Not quite. Pro-Kremlin youth groups are hosting events around the country. The youth wing of the ruling United Russia party, Young Guard, is leading the way, with a campaign titled "We are Russia, Russia is Putin" on Mr Putin's birthday.
As part of the campaign, a poetry reading will be held on Arbat, Moscow's main tourist street. Banners celebrating Putin will be hung from a bridge in the city of Rostov and a huge birthday card will be opened in the Siberian city of Chelyabinsk, where admirers can write personal greetings to the powerful leader.
The group has told at least one school, in the southern city of Taganrog, best known as the birthplace of the playwright Anton Chekhov, to compile 100 drawings from its students devoted to Mr Putin, according to documents leaked on the internet.
State-run television channels will also rejoice. Two programs on Mr Putin are planned for tonight, one on NTV, a channel run by the Kremlin and owned by Gazprom, the national gas monopoly. A trailer of the film shown on the channel's website on Thursday depicted a giddy interviewer standing poolside as Mr Putin, bare-chested in small, black swimming trunks, spoke earnestly from the water about his swimming schedule. He then powerfully swam away.
The film will show several days in the life of Mr Putin, who returned to the presidency in May after four years as prime minister. He has led the country since 1999, meaning he has spent more than one-fifth of his life at Russia's helm.
That fact is not lost on Russia's opposition, which emerged last year after Mr Putin announced he had no plans to leave office. Playing on the fact that Putin has reached 60, the pension age for Russian men, anti-Putin activists will hold a flash mob near the presidential administration's office just off Red Square titled "Send Grandad into Retirement". Props are expected to include slippers, eyeglass cases and gardening equipment.
The Kremlin has sought to distance itself from the pro-Putin birthday fest. Dmitry Peskov, Mr Putin's spokesman, said the President would have "a very modest home celebration with his best friends and relatives. He's not fond of big celebrations".
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What is the significance of Vladimir Putin's 60th birthday for investors and the public?
Putin's 60th birthday is notable because it is the pension age for Russian men and marks a milestone for a leader who has governed since 1999. The article highlights heightened political symbolism around the day, with both pro-Kremlin celebrations and opposition protests, which can be important context for anyone watching Russia-related political or market developments.
What kinds of pro-Kremlin events are planned for Putin's 60th birthday?
Pro-Kremlin youth groups, led by the Young Guard (the youth wing of the United Russia party), are running a campaign called "We are Russia, Russia is Putin." Planned events include a poetry reading on Arbat in Moscow, banners in Rostov, and a large birthday card in Chelyabinsk where admirers can write greetings.
How is state-run media marking Putin's 60th birthday and which media company is mentioned?
State-run television channels are airing programs celebrating Putin, including two shows planned for the night. The article specifically mentions NTV — described as run by the Kremlin and owned by Gazprom, the national gas monopoly — which will show a film depicting several days in Putin's life.
What does the article say about opposition activity on Putin's birthday?
Anti-Putin activists plan a flash mob titled "Send Grandad into Retirement" near the presidential administration close to Red Square. The protest will play on the fact Putin has reached the male pension age of 60 and will include props such as slippers, eyeglass cases and gardening equipment.
Are schools or children involved in the birthday campaigns covered in the article?
Yes. The article says at least one school in Taganrog was told to compile 100 student drawings devoted to Putin, according to documents leaked online, as part of pro-Putin campaign activities.
What personal or past birthday gifts to Putin does the article mention?
The article notes that on previous birthdays Putin has received gifts such as tiger cubs and calendars featuring scantily clad women, and that he has celebrated with international figures like Silvio Berlusconi and Gerhard Schroder.
How has the Kremlin described Putin's own plans for celebrating his 60th birthday?
The Kremlin sought to distance itself from large public festivities. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said the president would have "a very modest home celebration with his best friends and relatives" and is not fond of big celebrations.
What background about Putin's recent political role does the article provide that investors might find relevant?
The article reminds readers that Putin returned to the presidency in May after four years as prime minister and has effectively led Russia since 1999. It also notes the emergence of a political opposition last year after he said he had no plans to leave office, a fact relevant to anyone tracking Russia's political stability.
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