Russian and Foreign Participants of International Friendship Clubs Celebrate Students’ Day
January 25 marks the main student holiday in Russia — Tatiana Day. Foreign participants of the International Friendship Clubs, which are a flagship project of the World Youth Festival Directorate aimed at strengthening cooperation between young people from Russia’s regions and foreign countries, also celebrated it along with the Russians.
“The most active group of the International Friendship Clubs in Russia’s regions are, most definitely, students. They are vibrant, inspired, creative young people who are always full of innovative ideas and, most importantly, the ambitionto make the world a better place. It's important that the Clubs have also brought together foreigners studying in our country or living abroad and participating in events online. Such participants make up about 40% of the total number. Alongside their friends from Russia, they contribute unique ideas tofoster international youth cooperation, overcome cultural barriers, and promote intercultural dialogue. On behalf of the entire Directorate, we’d like to congratulate our big international student family and wish them further success in extending the horizons of youth cooperation”, said Victoria Pavlova, Deputy Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.
According to her, the International Friendship Clubsallowed to keep strengthening the ties between Russian and foreign students every day. For example, on Tatiana Day, Russia’s regions hosted events aimedat uniting young people from different countries. In the Tyumen Region, an international team of the International Friendship Club and activists from the “Young Guard” organized a flash mob called “Hugs for Good Luck at Exams”.
"Congratulations to all students on our Student Day holiday! Today, Tyumen students went to the ice rink together and created a big heart. This event showed us how important it is to support each other in any situation," Zach Elmer, a foreign student from Lebanon, addressed his peers.
On the Students’ Day, Russian and foreign members of the International Friendship Club of the Arkhangelsk Region learned about student traditions in different countries and took part in a quiz. In the Republic of Tyva, a cultural exchange workshopbrought together representatives of the region and its partner country, Mongolia. In the Tula Region, a youth center and a photo exhibition titled “Peace.Friendship.Tula” were opened. It dedicated to young people from Algeria, Canada, Egypt, Eritrea, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Vietnam, Iraq, Angola, Guinea-Bissau — they came to study and work in Russia and found a new home and friends here. In the Yaroslavl Region, best students received awards for their active participation in the implementation of regional and federal youth policy programmes. Those included Karina Smirnova, leader of the International Friendship Club, and Sergio Jordan Eshley Evouyafrom the Republic of Congo. The highlight of the daywas a student wedding on the region’s main ice rink.
The “Friendship the Russian Way” platformorganized by the International Friendship Club of the Altai Region in collaboration with the “Russian as a Foreign Language” club offered master classes on writing and Chinese calligraphy.
“Tatiana Day is a holiday of unity and joy that reflects the spirit of student life and its cultural significance in Russia. The International Friendship Clubs help strengthen cooperation among young people from different countries, providing a platform for cultural exchange, dialogue, and collaboration. For me, it is especially important that they promote mutual understanding, debunk stereotypes, and create friendships that can lead to long-term international partnerships”, shared Nolwazi Joubert from South Africa, participant of the International Friendship Club of the Altai Region.
Students’ Day celebrations will continue in the country’s regions for several days. Foreign and Russian members of the International Friendship Club of the Volgograd Region will go skating together, while the youth of the Samara Region will visit Samara State Technical University to learn about its long-standing student traditions.
“This holiday is of great importance for students in Russia, as it not only unites young people but also gives them an opportunity to appreciate their cultural heritage and national pride. On this day, students can make new friends. That’s why the events of the International Friendship Clubs play a crucial role in strengthening cooperation among young people from different countries. They provide them with a platform for communication, interaction, and gaining new insights into the culture and values of other peoples. We, the youth, are more aware than ever of the importance of fostering friendships and partnerships among students from different countries, as this contributes to building a cohesive and united world”, said Shaik Nouman Sabit from India, participant of the International Friendship Club of the Samara Region.
In addition to the Clubs’ events, the year 2025 will offer numerous activities to Russian students that will help them make friends from abroad. Nizhny Novgorod will host the International Youth Forum, while the World Youth Festival Directorate will organize international shifts as part of forums of the Rosmolodezh.Events platform. These will be held at Year-Round Youth Educational Centers such as the “Senezh” Management Workshop, the “Mashuk” Knowledge Center, the “Meganom” Academy of Creative Industries, and the “SHUM”. A first-ever international shift will take place at the Youth Educational Forum “BeregA”. Moreover, the 10thInternational Youth Forum “Eurasia Global” will be held in cooperation with the World Youth Festival Directorate.
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 the preservation and development of the Festival legacy, the World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.