Representatives of International Friendship Clubs and RUDN to Participate in Dubai Opera Ball

11 November 2024, 10:03
Festival news

On November 15, the UAE will host the III Dubai Opera Ball. It is one of the most significant international events of intercultural dialogue. For the first time, representatives of the International Friendship Clubs from 12 regions of Russia and foreign students of RUDN (Peoples' Friendship University of Russia) from 15 countries will participate in the event.

Ahead of the trip, Deputy Director General for Regional Cooperation of the WYF Directorate Viktoria Pavlova welcomed the participants. She noted that the World Youth Festival had given a new impetus to the international youth cooperation.

"When preparing and hosting the World Youth Festival, Russia's regions partnered with foreign delegations of the WYF-2024. The guys met, communicated and thus started a great friendship. Now, the Cultural Partnership programme is being implemented as part of the International Friendship Clubs project where participants from different cities of Russia together with RUDN students will attend the unique event and make another step - a joint one - towards a common future," emphasized Viktoria Pavlova.

Overall, 15 pairs will participate in the cultural event: foreign students will waltz with representatives of Russia's regions that partner with these countries as part of the International Friendship Clubs. They will dance to the pieces by Johann Strauss Jr.

The team of ANO “International Ball Association”, headed by the President of the Association and choreographer Mikhail Gribov, helped improve the young people’s dancing skills. Rehearsals were conducted at RUDN. Mikhail Gribov noted that the first-time participants of the cultural event had only 4 days to prepare, and the whole dance would last 8 minutes, which is a serious challenge for beginners.

“I am really inspired because the guys are really cool and positive. It feels like we have rehearsed and prepared multiple events before. Moreover, most of them have never danced in pairs, this is their first experience. It is great that the pairs consist of representatives of various countries and Russian regions. If something doesn't work out in a pair, they help each other,” shared Mikhail Gribov.

At the Ball, the young generation will be represented by young people from the Republic of Belarus, Costa Rica, Kazakhstan, China, Algeria, Tunisia, Sri Lanka, Cote d'Ivoire, Turkey, Bolivia, India, Latvia, Zambia, Benin, Turkmenistan, as well as from Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Kaluga, Tula, Volgograd, Pskov, Tver Regions, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Republics of Tatarstan, Mordovia, Karelia, and Altai Territory.

The participants said they were looking forward to the major international event. Sultana Bilkis from India said she had never participated in a ball before.

"It's difficult, but interesting. It’s my dream to take part in a ball. I really love dancing," shared Sultana Bilkis.

Marina Mamayeva, a representative of the International Friendship Club from the Republic of Morvodia, said she was an organizer of various events with international participants and the Dubai Opera Ball experience could help her expand her range of contacts.

"I have the opportunity to be near my dancing partner from Bolivia. There are so many people from different countries and cultures here. We learn not only how to dance, but how to communicate too. This is a unique experience, I thank the organizers for it,” said Marina Mamaeva.

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 International Youth Festival, and in between, international themed gatherings and events will be held under the auspices of the WYF. Festival events of various formats will be held in Russia annually.

According to the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation on preservation and development of the Festival legacy, the World Youth Festival Directorate continues work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.