On April 12, 1961, the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin flew into the vast expanse of space as the first human from Earth to both reach there and safely return to the planet. For an hour and 29 minutes, his journey swept across the arc of the celestial vault, and although it was the result of the work of thousands of people on the ground – scientists, engineers, and doctors – it was this individual who was celebrated.

He was the symbol of humanity’s first steps beyond the planet’s boundaries, and for young people, he represented the future: a future filled with exploration of other worlds and encounters with their inhabitants. This hope was felt even more clearly among Gagarin’s own countrymen.

As a tribute to this pioneer, the first to travel beyond our atmosphere, the first “Gagarin’s Party” was arranged on the thirtieth anniversary of his historic space flight. On April 12, 1991, this event took place in one of Moscow’s most crowded parks, alongside an art exhibition, marking the beginning of the first official Rave Party.

Time has passed since then. People can now buy tourist trips to space, but humanity remains fundamentally tied to Mother Earth, even as we continue to pollute space with our waste.

Ekaterina Sisfontes