Participants in the Children’s Program of IFY–2026 attended two plays written specifically for teenagers – “Cyber Court” and “The Search Continues”. The first explores the interaction between people and technology, while the second focuses on teenagers facing difficult circumstances in their lives.

The performances were staged as part of the Festival’s Children’s Program supported by the Movement of the First. Every evening, the young participants can attend various cultural events, as well as the outdoor Safety School #InMotion venue, featuring 30-minute sessions covering all 60 Festival teams.

September 15 was a special day when the School Classics project opened at the Festival with the premiere of “Cyber Court” and a special run of “The Search Continues”. Both plays were created with the support of the Alliance for the Protection of Children in the Digital Environment and the Movement of the First. The authors used formats that are unusual for traditional theater. Still, this is what makes the performances relatable and accessible to young audiences – serious issues are addressed in an informal setting, helping teenagers cope with challenges in their everyday lives.

Director of “Cyber Court” Elizaveta Kochetkova and the production’s authors wanted to draw attention to Internet safety and to explain to teenagers how to deal with online dangers without too much moralizing. The performance takes the form of a mock court hearing in which five cases are considered. The Internet, artificial intelligence, and technology – everything that may potentially pose a cyber threat – appear as the accused. After each case is “heard”, the jury – the audience – votes and delivers a verdict, who is guilty and who is not. What is important is that the play addresses widespread phenomena which internet users, including children and teenagers, encounter – digital footprints, catfishing, aggressive advertising, digital twins, and more.

“I really enjoyed the play I watched today. It addresses topics that are very important in our lives today,” said Khabibulla from Uzbekistan after the performance.

The problems explored in the production proved relatable to young people from around the world.

“This play can be understood by people who speak different languages because the problems it raises are relevant to all of us, as are the ways of solving them,” Taparudra from India shared.

“The Search Continues” was brought to the Festival by the Moscow Academic Theatre of Vladimir Mayakovsky. It premiered in spring 2023, and the play continues to generate strong interest and emotional responses from audiences. Thus, a special performance at the IFY–2026 became a notable event.

“We talk to children a lot about digital safety. We explain the rules and tell them about the risks. Yet sometimes a single play can say more than dozens of handbooks. ‘The Search Continues’ is based on teenagers’ real stories about bullying, conflicts with friends and family, and trusting strangers online. There is no moralizing here. Instead, there are situations which a child can relate to and think about what to do if they ever find themselves in a similar situation. It is especially important for us that the conversation continues after the performance, between children, parents, and trusted adults,” said Elizaveta Belyakova, Chair of the Alliance for the Protection of Children in the Digital Environment said.

Director Dmitry Krestyankin and the theater’s young actors created the documentary-style story about teenagers facing difficult circumstances specifically for a teenage audience.

Three parts tell three real stories – running away from home, school bullying, and a doubtful acquaintance on social media. Why and how can a teenager find themselves in danger? How easy is it for an adult to lose contact with the younger generation? Why is it so important to hear and support teenagers? The actors discuss all these issues with the audience in a clear and understandable language. The play is based on stories collected by coordinators of the LizaAlert search-and-rescue volunteer organization.

“This is a powerful play that reminds us how fragile our connections with loved ones can be, especially during adolescence, and about the importance of timely help. We have been developing infrastructure to support the LizaAlert volunteer organization for 14 years because we believe that technology should help rescuers respond to emergencies promptly. That is why our cooperation with LizaAlert is a long-term strategic partnership in which we continue to develop new capabilities year after year to improve effectiveness. Today, by bringing together businesses, government and volunteers, we are building a safety ecosystem and working to improve legislation so that everyone who goes missing has a chance to return home,” said Evgenia Chistova, Beeline’s Head of Sustainability.

For the actors, the script they perform on stage is based on the events they recently experienced.

“When I was at school, conversations on topics like these took place in very academic formats, which can be rather boring. And here, I try to see things from our audience’s perspective – you watch the play and dive into the atmosphere, and afterward our wonderful LizaAlert coordinators tell real stories. I think this leaves a much stronger impression on teenagers and it is more useful for them,” shared Kira Nasonova, an actress at the Mayakovsky Theater.

A live conversation with an instructor from the search-and-rescue team’s training school is an essential part of the play’s concept. After all, when different generations refuse to communicate, they can lose touch.

“After watching the play, I realized how important it is to talk about the problems that exist. I think this format is very relatable for people my age. It is an unconventional kind of theater, but it is really cool and modern,” Alexandra from Novosibirsk said.

Overview:

The International Festival of Youth, held as part of the Youth and Children national project, is taking place in Ekaterinburg from September 11 to 17, 2026. The decree establishing the event was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 29, 2025. The Festival is being held under the motto “Follow Your Dream”.

Participants of the IFY – 2026 include 10,000 young leaders from 191 countries, including 5,000 Russians and 5,000 international citizens. Among them are leading representatives of creative industries and the arts, public administration, science and education, sport, entrepreneurship, media, digitalization and IT, and civic engagement – people who are already shaping the future of their countries and the world. Continuing the successful practice established at the World Youth Festival 2024, those invited include 1,000 teenagers aged 14 to 17 – 500 from Russia and 500 from abroad. The Children's Program is organized by the Movement of the First.

The World Youth Festival took place from March 1 to 7, 2024, in Sirius, in accordance with a decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at developing international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.

In line with instructions from Russia’s President on preserving and building on the legacy of the World Youth Festival, festival events are now held annually across Russia. The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work to strengthen international youth cooperation and build a community of young people who care about the future of the world.