The World Youth Festival took place on the Sirius federal territory from March 1 to 7, 2024, bringing together 20,000 young leaders from Russia and abroad. One year later, Russian and international participants of the International Friendship Clubs of the World Youth Festival Directorate are celebrating the Festival’s Birthday together.

In the Republic of Khakassia, the celebration coincided with the Khakas New Year – Chyl Pazhy. WYF-2024 participants and volunteers came together in a khorovod (traditional round dance) of friendship, symbolizing unity and traditions established at the Festival.

Members of the International Friendship Club of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area celebrated the anniversary at the Gathering of Reindeer Herders, Fishermen, and Hunters, an event dedicated to preserving the culture, crafts, and traditions of the indigenous peoples of the North. Under the motto “Can’t Catch Us”, WYF-2024 delegates and guests from India took part in reindeer sled races, tynzyan (lasso) throwing, jumping over sledges, mas-wrestling, and traditional wrestling. Log fighting and snowmobile races brought extra excitement. Participants also enjoyed traditional dishes like fresh ukha (fish soup), venison stroganina (raw, thin slices), and wild delicacies.

“It’s a very good event: we got to experience the local culture. Back home, we don’t have traditions like these, or even snow. Everything looks amazing”, shared Benda Sachin from India, participant in the events of the International Friendship Club of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area.

International students from the Belgorod Region visited the historical park “Belgorodskaya Cherta”, where they participated in an interactive tour: enjoyed scenic views, learned about regional history, tried on traditional costumes, compared historical lifestyles, ran a medieval obstacle course, practiced archery, cast musket bullets with the help of a blacksmith, and joined an authentic campfire meal, trying “streletsky” kulesh (hearty porridge) cooked over an open fire.

In the Pskov Region, the "Glam Spectrum" Talent Show brought together over 150 international students, WYF-2024 delegates, and members of the local International Friendship Club. Young participants from India performed traditional dances and songs, and the event crowned its winners—Mr. and Miss Pskov-India.

“The legacy of the World Youth Festival is that international students from around the world continue coming together and breaking the stereotype that we are all different. The International Friendship Club of the Pskov Region helps us by uniting everyone and organizing exciting events for both Russian and foreign youth”, said Arnab Dey from India, member of the International Friendship Club of the Pskov Region.

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.