The World Youth Festival in Nizhny Novgorod hosted immersive readings entitled "Travels in Words: Stories from Trips Around Russia." Authentic travel notes, stories of discoveries, and memories found a voice thanks to Italian blogger, pianist, and TV presenter Lorenzo Bagnati, who acted as the reader. This unusual business format was organized as part of the Assembly by the Rosmolodezh program "More Than Trip," a partner of the event's excursion and regional programs.
The event in the Dignity Hall brought together about 400 participants. First of all, they heard an excerpt from the work "Journey Beyond Three Seas," written by Russian traveler and Tver merchant Afanasy Nikitin in the 15th century. This was followed by travel notes by Dutch artist and writer Cornelis de Bruijn, which formed the basis of the book "Travels into Muscovy, Persia, and part of the East-Indies," published in 1711 with a sensational success in Europe. The readings also included an excerpt from one of the essays by Far East explorer Vladimir Arseniev, who described his expedition to the crater of Avachinsky volcano. In addition to these works, Lorenzo Bagnati read a review by one of the participants in the “More Than Trip” program, Anton Pokropayev: his story about a trip to Karelia was recognized as the winner of the “More Than Review” project. The narrative was accompanied by atmospheric audiovisual material and a dialogue with the audience.
"The distinctive feature of the business program arranged at the Assembly held in Nizhny Novgorod is its interactivity, originality of formats, openness, and the opportunity for each participant to discuss topics of interest to young people around the globe. Vigorous young people from 120 countries gathered here. We wanted them to get to know Russia as well as possible, and the best way to discover a country is to travel. Nothing inspires people to travel around our vast country like someone else's personal experience. That is why we chose the format of immersive readings. Through the spoken word, we wanted to convey the feelings, joy of discovery, and inspiration that the “More Than Trip” program offers. Our guest's personal example and love for Russia, together with musical and visual accompaniment, are designed to make this immersion emotional and motivating”, Alexandra Grishchuk, head of the events and media projects management department at ANO “More Than Trip”, says.
As Lorenzo Bagnati himself admits, he has loved classical literature and the works of Russian composers since childhood. In 2021, Lorenzo graduated with a master's degree from the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music in Moscow. In 2024, the blogger and talented pianist became one of the speakers and moderators at the World Youth Festival in Sirius, where he talked about his experience of living in Russia, breaking down stereotypes, and whether he managed to understand the mysterious Russian soul. Held for the first time in Nizhny Novgorod, the Assembly became a platform for the development of the global international youth community created at WYF 2024.
"I often visit Russia, and each trip discovers for me something new: I visit unique places, meet wonderful people, immerse myself in the distinctive culture, find inspiration for new projects, and discover opportunities for self-realization. I share my personal experiences and sincere emotions, inspiring my friends and family to get to know Russia. Today, I had a different role—I didn't talk about my impressions, but became the voice of travelers from the past and a guide for the young people who attended these immersive readings. I am sure that many of them will return to Russia more than once to get to know other regions of the country better, see their new friends, jointly implement youth initiatives , and feel part of the global community. I am grateful to the audience for their interest in such non-standard formats and their involvement—I was pleased that the participants actively shared their experiences of staying in Russia," Lorenzo Bagnati says.
Maxim Vitinsh was born in Toronto, Canada, and came to study in St. Petersburg a few years ago, where he is now studying IT. He loves to travel around Russia and has already visited more than 20 cities, including participating in the "More Than Trip" program. This was the young man's first visit to Nizhny Novgorod. Maxim was one of the participants in the immersive readings, and after they ended, he shared his impressions.
"I have the same experience as Lorenzo—I came to Russia to study. I like traveling around the country and discovering new cities. I really liked the format of the immersive readings—it's unusual. It was especially cool that it was interactive when Lorenzo communicated with the audience: he recalled his travels in Russia and invited the audience to share their experiences. I think foreigners need to share their impressions of traveling in Russia: what they see, feel, and like here. This helps to create ties between those who have visited Russia as guests and those who welcomed them here. I tell my friends from Canada a lot about life here and invite them to come to St. Petersburg," he comments.
The general partners of the WYF Assembly-2025 are the Russian Music Union, JSC Russian Railways, and Phygital Games. The general information partner is the international television channel RT, and the general media partner is ANO Dialog Regions. The partner for the excursion and regional programs is the More Than Trip program. The strategic partner is VK Tech. Co. The following have also joined the partnership program: “New Generation” program arranged by the Federal Agency for Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Residing Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), the Movement of the First, the presidential platform “Russia – Country of Opportunities”, Sovcombank, the Avito Tech. Co., State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, Russian “Znanie” (Knowledge) Society, the Film Studio Soyuzmultfilm, the Government of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Central Bank of Russia, program for young entrepreneurs “Rosmolodezh.Undertake” and the Mashuk Knowledge Center. Information support for the event is provided by Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Argumenty i Fakty publishing house, the African Initiative and the Window to Russia project of ANO “TV-Novosti”.
The organizer of the World Youth Festival Assembly is the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), the co-organizer of the event is the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the event operator is the World Youth Festival Directorate. The Festival pursues the goals of the Youth and Children national project.
Overview:
In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on preserving and developing the legacy of the World Youth Festival, which took place on the Sirius Federal Territory in 2024 and united 20,000 young people from 190 countries of the world, festival events on the territory of the Russian Federation will be held annually. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will be held in 2030. In 2026, there will be a smaller event, an International Youth Festival with 10,000 participants. In between, the World Youth Festival’s themed Assemblies will be held annually for 2,000 participants. The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.
ANO “More Than Trip” is the operator of the Rosmolodezh program “More Than Trip,” thanks to which over 290,000 young people have seen unique sights in our country, learned about the achievements of universities and industrial enterprises, developed socially significant projects, and made new friends. The winners and prize-winners of all-Russian projects go on trips around the country: schoolchildren, students, young professionals from the regions, and family members of military personnel.
In addition to the traditional tourist program—getting acquainted with the natural, cultural, and historical features of the regions—young people visit Russian manufacturing facilities, educational organizations, and other significant sites in the country. They have the opportunity to contribute to the development of cities, participate in volunteer activities, and become co-authors of the trips. Diverse tourism also involves professional self-realization: trip participants can prove themselves and receive offers for internships and employment or apply the knowledge they have gained in their home regions.
The “More Than Trip” program is part of the ecosystem of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) and is implemented as part of the national project “Youth and Children”. The program is supported by the Movement of the First, the Russian “Znanie” (Knowledge) Society, the platform “Russia – Country of Opportunities”, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.
