From Kaliningrad to Vladivostok — WYF 2024 Regional Program Covers All of Russia

2,000 representatives of foreign youth from 147 countries continue to travel to the regions of Russia. They follow five thematic routes that reveal the history of the country, showcase its culture and traditions, and present achievements in business, science and education, sports, technology, and other fields.

On March 15, the foreign WYF 2024 delegation in Kaliningrad, one of the cities of the Country without Borders route, began the day with morning exercises with champions. They were held by Natalia Ishchenko, Deputy Chair of the Government of the Kaliningrad Region, Minister of Sports of the Kaliningrad Region, and Five-Time Olympic Champion in Artistic Swimming, and Alexey Volkov, Russian Athlete and European Champion in Hand-to-Hand Combat. The WYF 2024 participants also tried their hand at tug of war, rock climbing and GTO.

"I noticed that Kaliningrad has very hospitable people. They are the nicest people I have ever met. They are always smiling, ready to help and make you feel special. In Kaliningrad, people love their culture and history. They want to introduce you to their traditions and make you fall in love with them," said Gentil Shandrak, a WYF 2024 participant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The foreign guests and the youth of the Kaliningrad Region took part in the Maslenitsa festivities. Together they danced round dances and made amber handicrafts and amulet dolls in the style of the holiday.

"I was a little worried that my regional program would be in Kaliningrad because I knew nothing about the city. We had such a warm welcome at the airport upon our arrival. From that moment on, I felt at home. The World Youth Festival will always remain in my heart. I especially liked the Maslenitsa festivities. We tried pancakes and danced a lot," Kamati Daki, a WYF 2024 participant from Namibia, shared her impressions.

In St. Petersburg, one of the cities on the Memory Lane route, the foreign participants of the Festival got acquainted with the history and cultural heritage of Russia. The young people visited the Hermitage. There they saw masterpieces of world art, sculpture and architecture. The cultural program continued in the concert hall of the Mariinsky Theater. The participants enjoyed Giuseppe Verdi's opera "La Traviata". The youth of the world also danced at the ball in historical costumes of the 19th century in the Yelaginoostrovsky Palace.

In the PROSTO Youth Space, the Festival participants created commemorative badges with the symbols of their countries and attached them to the statue of Cheburashka, the mascot of the WYF 2024. The installation embodies the international friendship found by all participants of the largest youth event of the year. It will be a legacy of the World Youth Festival in St. Petersburg.

"This morning we went to the Hermitage. This tour was very interesting and exciting for me as a historian. This is my first time in Russia, and although I really love the Russian culture, I had some concerns at first. But thanks to the World Youth Festival and the regional program, I realized that Russia is a safe and beautiful country," said Andres Perez Arredondo, a WYF 2024 participant from Spain.

In Kazan, one of the cities on the Live and Work in Russia route, young people got acquainted with the national Tatar cuisine, learned about the traditions of the republic, and visited Innopolis, the youngest city in Russia, Kazan Federal University, the National Library, logistics centers of marketplaces, and the IT Park. The young people from abroad met with Rustam Minnikhanov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan, and also took part in a session with Rinat Sadykov, Minister of Youth Affairs of the Republic of Tatarstan, during which they learned about the youth policy of the region.

"We are happy to have visited Kazan. We got to know a rich culture, traditions and new people. The combination of different religions makes Kazan unforgettable," said Maya Vidovic, a WYF 2024 participant from Serbia.

On the final day of the regional program in Vladivostok, one of the Youth Capitals of Russia in 2024, the foreign participants of the WYF 2024 went to Russky Island. They had a look at the defensive structures that are part of the Vladivostok Fortress — the Novosiltsevskaya Battery and the Pospelov Fort. The foreign delegation of the Festival visited the Primorsky Aquarium, which is home to almost 10,000 animals, representatives of all oceans and climatic zones of the planet. The eventful program ended with a visit to the Russian bathhouse in the sea.

"It is an amazing experience to travel around Vladivostok.  It is an old, but at the same time very modern city. We visited many places, including the Maritime University, the dock, and fishing boats. We saw the unique nature of Russia. I can say with confidence that I would like to return to Vladivostok again, especially in the summer," Elizabeth Shipulva, a WYF 2024 participant from Namibia, shared her impressions.

The visit to the Russia International Exhibition and Forum in Moscow was another part of the regional program of the Festival. The WYF 2024 participants went on a trip to the regions of the country in Pavilion 75. Anastasia Zvyagina, Deputy Director General of the Directorate of the Russia Exhibition of Achievements, led the tour for them.  

"You have already visited the grandiose event, the World Youth Festival in Sirius, and the regions of our large country. I am sure you have already seen for yourself that Russia is very hospitable, friendly and welcoming. People of different nationalities and faiths have lived in peace and harmony in our country for centuries. This diversity of cultures, languages and customs does not divide Russia, but unites it," Anastasia Zvyagina addressed the WYF 2024 participants.

Young people from abroad visited the stands of the regions and got acquainted with the history, traditions and customs, technologies and achievements of 89 subjects of Russia. For example, foreign guests tried on national costumes at the exposition of Kalmykia and danced Lezginka at the exposition of Adygea.

"I am amazed by Russia and its size, because it is the largest country in the world. I was also struck by the fact that there are so many nationalities living in the country, each with their own traditions, languages and customs. And it is all here at the Exhibition," Zhou Wei, a Festival participant from China, shared her impressions.

At the Exhibition the representatives of foreign youth saw the cultural and historical heritage, the diversity of peoples and their traditions, the technical and economic potential of the country.

"I like everything here, everything is beautiful. The expositions show how different Russia is, but at the same time it is one country, and all its parts are united," said Oscar Mendoza, a WYF 2024 participant from Bolivia.

__________

The World Youth Festival took place according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation.

The World Youth Festival is organized by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) and operated by the World Youth Festival Directorate.