200 foreign participants will take part in the regional program after the main events of the World Youth Festival Assembly in Nizhny Novgorod. They will visit 10 regions of Russia, where they will see memorable places of our country, get acquainted with the cultural and national diversity of Russia, and visit technological and industrial enterprises.
"One of the most memorable moments for the foreign participants of the 2024 World Youth Festival was the regional program, when 2,000 young leaders from different countries traveled to 30 cities in Russia. Later, many foreign guests shared their impressions that this trip changed their understanding of Russia, allowed them to see how our country really lives, to feel its unique culture, rich history, sincere and open people. This year, 200 participants of the World Youth Festival will travel along the unique routes of Russia, take part in a cultural and educational program, and get to know our country without stereotypes and filters, as it is, generous, diverse and always hospitable," said Grigory Gurov, head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh).
Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate, shared that the WYFD continues the traditions of the World Youth Festival and other major events, showing russian cities, history, culture and country's potential to foreign friends.
"After the WYFD Assembly, participants will travel to 10 regions of Russia: Ivanovo, Omsk, Yaroslavl, Sakhalin, Chelyabinsk Regions, the Republics of Mordovia, Khakassia, the Chechen Republic, the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District and St. Petersburg. The regional program will provide a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the diversity of life in Russia. We pay special attention to ensuring that guests not only receive unbaised information about our country, but also experience its hospitality personally. The program will be an important step in strengthening international youth relations. And I am sure that after the participation in this event young foreigners will have a comprehensive idea of existing opportunities for education, professional growth and creativity in our country," said Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the Directorate of the World Youth Festival.
A meeting of the participants of the regional program with the governor of the region is planned in the Ivanovo region. Young foreigners will be introduced to the infrastructure of higher education. They will visit Ivanovo State Polytechnic University, where they will also have a meeting with the community of young entrepreneurs. Participants will be able to assess the industrial potential of the region, visit the "LiderTex" textile factory, communicate with the company's management and try themselves as active employees. There is also planned a useful program: young people will be able to make dolls made of Ivanovo cotton for children with disabilities. Also, sports program has been prepared for foreigners: everyone will play with the athletes of the football club "Tekstilshchik Ivanovo". In addition, the program will include guided tours of the Ivanovo Region tourist sites: the Cathedral of the Exaltation, I.I. Golikov House Museum, Resurrection Cathedral, M.A. Pavlov's mansion and other symbolic places.
The Chechen Republic is organizing a comprehensive regional program aimed at introducing foreign youth to the cultural heritage, socio-economic potential and educational opportunities of the region. The participants will immerse in the national traditions of the Republic: they will be greeted with elements of Chechen cuisine and a performance by a children's folk dance group. Visits to significant religious and historical sites are also planned: the mosque "Muslim Pride" and "Mother's Heart", acquaintance with the activities of the industrial enterprise "Chechen Mineral Waters" and the resort "Sernovodsk-Kavkazsky". Special attention is paid to the educational aspect: delegates will visit leading universities in the region, including the Chechen State Pedagogical University and the Grozny State Petroleum Technical University, where they will take part in workshops and discussion platforms. The cultural program includes tours around Grozny, visits to the "Kazenoy-Am" sports and tourism cluster. The events will be complemented by sports activities, a charity event for children with disabilities, and other socially significant initiatives.
Omsk, the Youth capital of Russia, and the Omsk Region will also host a regional program based on educational, cultural, and developmental elements. The venue organizers emphasize that the time spent by young foreigners in the region will allow them to learn a lot about the history of the peoples. Each day will be dedicated to studying the traditions of different ethnic groups. So, the guests will be welcomed in the Russian tradition, and they will take a sightseeing tour of Omsk. On this day, Omsk youth, together with participants of the World Youth Festival Assembly, representatives of the Regional Government and volunteers, will create an Alley of Friendship by planting trees. The thematic days will also be dedicated to Kazakh, Tatar, and German national traditions. As part of the program, foreigners will visit industrial enterprises, get acquainted with production processes and technologies, and the working conditions of professionals in different fields. The young people will also visit the G-Drive sports arena, where they will attend a match of the famous "Avangard" hockey club. Youths will be able to trick out emotional intelligence through special training, and while communicating with an expert, they will learn how to create interesting photo/video content. As part of the cultural program, they will be able to view the expositions of the Omsk Region State museums and the Center for the Study of the Civil War History, as well as visit the "Hermitage-Siberia" Center.
The regional program in the Republic of Mordovia is based on the concept of "The Path to Inenarmun", which is based on Mordovian mythology. Participants, exploring the path of the great Inenarmun bird, will plunge into the color and traditions of the Mordovian people and the history of Mastor land. On the first day, participants will visit the leading universities of the region and museum complexes, as well as go on a tour of the main sights of Saransk. Foreign youth will meet with participants of the WYFD International Friendship Club and foreign citizens living in the region. Within the framework of the "Peculiarities of National Friendship" platform, they will be able to draw up a plan for the development of international cooperation. On the same day, the business program "Friendship in Russian" will start, which will become a space for discussing the future of youth communities and forming new ties. Foreign participants will also enjoy a rich excursion program and an immersion in the manufacturing sector of the Republic of Mordovia.
The regional program of the Republic of Khakassia is based around the concept of the five elements — earth, fire, water, air and history. A rich excursion program awaits foreign participants. They will visit the Khakass National Museum of Local Lore named after L.R. Kyzlasov, the "Izykh" Mine Park, the Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydroelectric Power Station, the "Hurtuyakh-Tas" Museum Reserve, the "Kyug" yurt complex and much more. The young people will go to leading universities and meet with the head of the Republic of Khakassia, Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Khakassia, Valentin Konovalov, and members of the WYFD International Friendship Club of the region. Together they will plant trees and create an Alley of Friendship.
In the Chelyabinsk region, participants of the regional program will plunge into the Ural charm. As part of the educational block, participants will visit South Ural State University and become a part of a roundtable discussion with participants of the WYFD International Friendship Club and youth opinion leaders. The students will also visit the industrial centers of Chelyabinsk, including the "Height 239" facility. As part of the cultural program, they will go on tour to the leading museums of the region, try their hand at blacksmithing and participate in an immersive performance about the riches of the Southern Urals. They will also try figure skating and climb to the top of Mount Semibratka. As part of the educational program, participants will learn about social NGOs in the region — the Chelyabinsk Charitable Foundation "Rus Food Bank" and the charity clinic "Other Medicine", and will also take part in thematic workshops.
The Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District will host the participants of the WYF Assembly as part of the "Yamal Warms" regional program. The program is divided into thematic fields. On the first day, delegates will get acquainted with the identity and history of the region, on the second day they will experience the international cooperation, live one day in the life of a Yamal resident and learn about the traditions of the indigenous peoples of the North. Delegates will also visit the natural and ethnographic complex, workshops in national crafts and a meeting with the government of the region. The program includes quests to explore Yamal, business games, sports events with elements of northern sports, as well as a solemn crossing of the Arctic Circle.
The regional program in the Yaroslavl region includes a rich educational program — a dialogue platform with representatives of the WYFD International Friendship Club, filming of the youth video podcast "The Main Show" about the life of foreigners in Russia, as well as a strategic session dedicated to identifying further ways for foreign youth to interact with student activists in the region. As part of the informative program, participants will visit the Government of the Yaroslavl Region and learn about the educational opportunities of the region. Cultural and useful fields include tour sights to the key attractions of th region: Vyatskoye village, Dobrynino manor, St. Vvedensky Tolga Convent, V.V. Tereshkova Cultural and educational center, the backstage of the first Russian theater named after Fyodor Volkov, will see the mural in the creative workshop "Unick", prepare national dishes and much more.
In St. Petersburg, each day of the regional program is dedicated to a different meaning. On the first day of the "World of Opportunities for Everyone", foreign participants will get acquainted with the economic potential of the region, visit leading industrial enterprises and universities. The second day is dedicated to the meaning of "Responsibility for the fate of the world". On this day young people will immerse in the history of Russia, visit museums and key attractions dedicated to the Great Patriotic War. As part of the third day of "Life, Dignity and Justice", young people will meet with veterans, make commemorative bracelets, and travel through the public spaces of St. Petersburg: New Holland Island, "Sevkabel Port" Cultural Center, "Brusnitsyn" Cultural Quarter. The cultural program will take place on the fourth day. Participants will visit the Festival of National Cultures and famous museums and sights of St. Petersburg. They will also meet with representatives of the WYFD International Friendship Club of St. Petersburg. As part of the useful program, participants will take part in worlshops, create key rings and card holders from recyclables, make other souvenirs and an art object.
As part of the regional program in the Sakhalin Region, participants will immerse in the culture of Russia's largest island region, get acquainted with its natural resources, economic potential and multinational traditions. They will visit key attractions and historical sites of the Sakhalin Region: the Cathedral of the Nativity in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the "Pobeda" Museum and Memorial Complex, the Sakhalin Regional Museum of Local Lore, the "Mayak" Art Residence and much more. The educational program includes intensive courses at Sakhalin State University, a lecture on the development of the island region from the Governor of the Sakhalin Region, Valery Limarenko, panel discussions with youth public organizations in the region, as well as visits to key enterprises in the region, such as the "Gidrostroi" fish processing plant. The cultural and useful program includes guided tours of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the opening of a youth art exhibition with forum participants, master classes and the implementation of joint useful and good deeds with the regional club #WEARETOGETHER. As part of the sports program, foreigners will take part in friendly and sporting events in various sports, as well as meet with Olympic champions.
The World Youth Festival Assembly is organized by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), the co–organizer of the event is the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, and the operator is the World Youth Festival Directorate. The event is being implemented within the framework of the national project "Youth and Children".
Overview:
The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 in Sirius, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.
On the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, the WYF will be held in Russia on a regular basis – once in six years. Also, every six years 10,000 young people from all over the world will get together at the World Youth Festival Forum, and in between, international themed assemblies for 2,000 participants will be held under the auspices of the WYF. The first Assembly is scheduled to take place in September 2025 in Nizhny Novgorod. Festival events of various formats will be held in Russia annually.
According to the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation on the preservation and development of the Festival legacy, the World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.
