The International Festival of Youth (IFY – 2026) has come to a close, and its final hours became a genuine symphony of emotion: joy at having made friends, a touch of sadness at saying goodbye, and the kind of genuine warmth that only comes where people truly hear one another.
Participants were seen off through a special program called “Warm Farewell,” built around the traditions of Russian hospitality. On this day, the Tastes of the Peoples of the World gastronomic festival extended its hours, and the send-off area featured performances by artistic ensembles and a field kitchen with a real wood-fired oven. As parting gifts, participants received treats with a distinctly Ural character: 680 jars of pine-cone jam, made at one of the Urals’ men’s monasteries, and 150 kilograms of sushki and baranki (traditional ring-shaped bread rolls). Before departing, everyone observed the good old Russian tradition of “sitting down for the road.”
“The Movement of the First has wrapped up its Children’s Program in the world youth city – Ekaterinburg! Over the course of this week, 1,000 Russian and international participants attended educational lectures, seminars and master classes led by technology market leaders, took part in concerts and celebrations, saw the region’s natural beauty on excursions, and, most importantly, made new friends and got a sense of Russia’s scale. The program’s results came in the form of concrete developments – 60 groundbreaking projects that are already changing people’s lives in different countries today. I’m grateful to these young people for their talent, energy, and readiness to strengthen good relations with our country,” noted Artur Orlov, Hero of Russia, a graduate of the Time of Heroes presidential leadership program, and Chairman of the Board of the Movement of the First.
The send-off area was decorated in a traditional Russian style, with samovars, painted shawls and garlands. But what mattered most here was not the design, but the genuine energy of the people: participants hugged, made the most of their last chance to exchange souvenirs, held hands, and on some faces, you could spot tears.
One of the Festival’s traditions became the Russian folk dance “Ruchyok” (“The Stream”) and khorovod round dances – and that is exactly how participants were sent off: with spinning, songs, and the feeling of being part of something bigger and kind. Young people from hundreds of countries stood shoulder to shoulder in a single circle, and in that moment, any borders felt like nothing more than a convention.
The farewell ceremony at the Square of Flags on the UrFU campus reached its climax with the unfurling of a 9-by-6-meter Russian flag, surrounded by the flags of participating countries. At the same moment, the song “Matushka” (“Mother”) began to play – the very song that participants themselves chose, through a poll, as the Festival’s unofficial anthem.
“I think everything here is wonderful: it’s as if Russia brought the whole world together right here, in Ekaterinburg — and that’s genuinely amazing. What struck me most was the opening ceremony: it was incredibly mesmerizing and beautiful — I’d never seen anything like it,” shared Kesarwani Prajjwal from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, describing his impressions.
What he remembered most was the parade in national costumes. “It felt like we traveled the whole world in a single evening. I made so many new connections at the Festival. I have my own startup, and now my team includes scientific experts from Russia and India, so these connections mean a lot to me. I’d happily come back to Russia for the next Festival — that’s for sure. I love Russia!” said Kesarwani Prajjwal. Daria Khantseva, a fourth-year philology student from Tomsk, submitted her Festival application without expecting too much.
“I figured if I got in, that would be great, and if not, no big deal. And I’m so glad it worked out! What won me over most was the atmosphere: it’s so easy to talk with people from different countries and cities here. You never know who you’re talking to until they introduce themselves, but everyone’s open to connecting – there’s none of that long, awkward getting-to-know-you stage. You can just walk up and ask, ‘Where are you from?’ Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be on this scale. I came with very little information going in, and reality far exceeded my expectations,” the student said. She was struck by the sheer number of events, well-known artists, and people from all kinds of countries.
“What especially stuck with me was meeting people from Canada and Germany — countries our relations with are complicated right now. It was unexpected, and really meaningful, to meet them in Russia right at this moment. It’s sad to leave, even now, before I’ve even gone. I think I’ll definitely try to make it to the next Festival,” said Daria Khantseva.
For Julio Satta Preto Lemos from Brazil, what he liked most about the Festival was the chance to discover different sides of Russian culture – not just sport and technology, but history, everyday life, and, most importantly, the people themselves.
“It was a surprise to discover just how many different facets Russia has – from cars to cultural traditions. I had no idea the country had so many layers, and that genuinely impressed me. This is already my third time in Russia, and I definitely want to come as often as I can. At the Festival, I didn’t just strengthen old connections – I made new ones too. I often hear the stereotype that Russians are cold people, but that’s never been true for me. Here, I always feel like a welcome guest. When people find out I’m from Brazil, they immediately think of Pele, Neymar, football – and things instantly turn warm and friendly. Russia is almost a second home to me,” admitted Julio Satta Preto Lemos.
Aysanem Uzakbaeva, a Russian language teacher from Karakalpakstan, noted that even though getting to the Festival wasn’t easy, the effort was worth it.
“What inspires me most here is the atmosphere itself, and the people — because the coolest young people from different countries have gathered here. Some are making scientific discoveries, others play the violin brilliantly. We’re all very different, but in the things that matter most — our feelings, our dreams, our experiences — we’re the same. Watching the participants gives me a huge amount of inspiration. For example, I already speak five languages, and now I’m learning a sixth — Spanish. My Spanish friends here suggested I take a Spanish certification exam, and now I’m planning to bring my level up to at least confident fluency,” the teacher said.
She also admitted there were many pleasant surprises in store for her.
“I thought, for example, that I’d have to make my own way to the venue, but volunteers were there to greet us — with smiles, with bouquets of flowers. Such a small detail, but it felt incredibly nice. I also didn’t expect to see famous Russian artists like Dima Bilan, the band Zveri, and Tatiana Kurtukova live. Hearing their songs at the concert, my emotions were off the charts — I couldn’t believe I was seeing them in real life. It’s very sad to leave: I’ve made a lot of friends here, we’ve exchanged contacts, and we’re hoping to work on some project together in the future. I really want to make it to the next Festival. I think truly unique people come here,” emphasized Aysanem Uzakbaeva.
At Koltsovo Airport, participants were seen off by a Ural choir and accordion players. Other dance and music ensembles from Ekaterinburg also performed, including the “Viktoriya” dance school, the “Ural Gemstones” dance theater, the “Teachers’ Ensemble” of the Ordzhonikidzevsky District, the “Rodonit” choreography ensemble, and others.
At the Ekaterinburg-Passazhirsky Railway Station, guests were seen off by the official city dance and music ensemble “Ivan da Marya.” They were joined by other groups: the vocal ensemble of teachers from the “Aktsent” creative center, “Bolero+,” the song and dance ensemble “Sudarushka,” the vocal group “Pet Prosto,” the dance ensemble “Veselinka,” and the circus troupe “Flick-Flack.”
Together with Aeroflot and Russian Railways (RZD), a special format was developed: aircraft captains and train conductors personally greeted Festival participants on the flights and trains they were departing on. These brief but heartfelt words became one more warm touch to close out the Festival.
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.