On June 9, a joint meeting was held in Moscow between the Russian and Belarusian Organizing Committees responsible for preparing and implementing the Train of Memory cultural and educational project in 2026. Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate, also took part in the meeting.

Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council and Chair of the Train of Memory Organizing Committee, stated that the project is ready to launch. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity and preserving the traditions established during the implementation of the project.

“Two hundred tenth-graders will commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War at the Brest Hero Fortress on the night of June 22. The Train of Memory route continues to run through Russia and Belarus, but this year it will include thirteen cities,” said the Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council.

Commenting on the outcomes of the meeting, Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate, emphasized that the organization consistently promotes one of the key principles of our time. For the sake of future generations, we must preserve history and help young people learn the truth and gain reliable knowledge about the Great Patriotic War and the events of World War II. He also noted that the success of the Train of Memory project is the result of systematic cooperation between Russia and Belarus.

“Through our joint efforts, we have expanded the project’s geography. For the first time, it will bring together not only young people from the former Soviet republics, but also descendants of the victorious nations of the anti-Hitler coalition, despite the policies of some countries' official establishments. The Train of Memory project is truly meaningful. It serves as a moral compass and guiding beacon for the younger generation,” Dmitry Ivanov noted.

The meeting was attended by Russian senators, their counterparts from the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, representatives of Russian Railways (RZD), the project’s general partner, representatives of partner organizations, as well as representatives of the regions and cities included in the route. Participants approved the program and discussed issues related to the preparation, organization, and implementation of this important project.

The Train of Memory cultural and educational project was initiated in 2021 by the heads of the upper chambers of the Russian and Belarusian parliaments, Valentina Matvienko, Chair of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, and Natalya Kochanova, Chair of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus. With the support of the presidents of both countries, the project has been implemented under the auspices of the Union State since 2023.

Overview:

The World Youth Festival took place in Sirius on March 1-7, 2024, 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.

In line with the Russian President’s instructions to preserve and further develop the legacy of the World Youth Festival, festival events are now held annually across the Russian Federation. In 2025, the World Youth Festival Assembly was held in Nizhny Novgorod, bringing together 2,000 young people from 120 countries. In 2026, the International Festival of Youth will welcome 10,000 participants. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will take place in 2030.

The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work to strengthen international youth cooperation and develop a global community of young people committed to shaping a better future.