The International Festival of Youth – 2026 (IFY – 2026) is taking place in part on the grounds of Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin (UrFU). The educational institution’s new, modern campus in the Novokoltsovsky district has become the main venue for housing participants and holding a number of events.

“Organizing accommodation for this many participants and running events on such a short timeline, even together with a partner, is a powerful and important experience for the university to gain,” noted UrFU Rector Ilya Obabkov, speaking with journalists.

According to him, the university’s students were actively involved in Festival life: they eagerly attend lectures and roundtables and take a keen interest in meetings and activities. The experience of the Festival will give them a great deal for the future – the ability to communicate, connect with others, and take part in large-scale events like this one.

The rector also shared his own impressions: throughout the entire Festival, he took an active part in the work, meeting with colleagues and young participants. Ilya Obabkov noted that one of the stands, hosted under the auspices of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, gave the rectors of major universities the chance to connect during these days and lay out plans for further cooperation.

“For example, I spoke with Oleg Yastrebov, rector of RUDN University, and together we laid out a plan for further work, joint projects, and combining the strengths of our two major universities,” shared the head of the institution.

The UrFU rector had special words of thanks for the volunteers, whose help and work at the Festival was felt and appreciated by every participant these past few days. Ilya Obabkov noted that 151 students from the university are working as volunteers, 15 of whom are international students.

“For these young people, volunteer work is a very important stage in their lives — it builds a sense of responsibility and openness. I’m confident that taking part in an event of this scale will serve as a launchpad for their skills in the future,” shared Ilya Obabkov.

He added that the university also prepared volunteers not only from among its students, but from other interested people as well.

“Our job is to show everyone who has gathered here the Festival, the people, and the city. To show off our university’s new campus. This level of involvement reflects the volunteers’ own desire to make sure international Festival participants come away with a strong understanding of a country like Russia. And, of course, of the city of Ekaterinburg,” noted the UrFU rector.

Ilya Obabkov noted that participants and volunteers will very soon start missing the Festival. He compared the feeling to a university exam period – exhausting while it is happening, but you soon find yourself missing your studies. The rector also noted that classes will return to their regular schedule on September 26.

“I think many participants, both from other Russian cities and from other countries, will soon come to the conclusion that this is the place to come and study. On our end, it’s important for us not to lose touch with the young people who’ve visited us. Like many federal universities, we know how to do that, we know how to maintain warm connections. We’re interested in motivated students – the kind who won’t just come here, but who will go on to build a successful career, including here,” said Ilya Obabkov.

He noted that the university’s recognition among prospective students, and their understanding that UrFU is a wonderful place to build a career path, matters a great deal to the institution.

“Judging by what’s happening at the Festival, by how busy my colleagues and students are, by the level of press activity, this event is going to make UrFU visible to an even larger number of people. We’re becoming more active in the information space, and going forward, our task is to hold on to that standard. Right now, we’re among the top 10 universities in Russia. Our goal is to break into the top 3 – modestly, but noticeably,” Ilya Obabkov concluded.

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.