Country without Borders: participants of WYF-2024 continue exploring the regions of Russia

Two thousand foreign participants of the World Youth Festival continue to travel across Russia as part of the regional program. They will follow five thematic routes: Live and work in Russia, Memory Lane, Country without borders, We are back in Russia, and will also visit the Russia International Exhibition and Forum. During the tour of Russia, young people from 147 countries get acquainted with the history, traditions and culture of the peoples of our country, unique natural monuments, economic and technical potential.

On March 13, a rich program was prepared for foreign participants of the WYF–2024. In Nizhny Novgorod, young people went on a city tour and visited the main city attractions. Among them are the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, central squares and streets, the city fair and the Strelka, where the Oka and Volga rivers merge. The main idea of this program is the Nizhny Novgorod region being 100% real Russia. It is dedicated to the history, development and culture of this region. The participants of the Festival visited the exhibition “Walking along the old Nizhny”, attended lectures on landscaping and contemporary art of the city. By the way, last year Nizhny Novgorod was chosen as the Youth Capital of Russia.

“This is the best experience I've ever had in my life. The World Youth Festival helped to break down stereotypes about Russia. Now I know that Russia is a beautiful and peaceful country with amazing and hardworking people, and the streets are always clean and safe. Nizhny Novgorod is a wonderful city with many memorable landmarks,” shared San Joseph, a participant in the regional program of the Festival from Liberia.

A fashion show was also held in Nizhny Novgorod, where collections of student fashion theaters of the Nizhny Novgorod region were presented. In Sirius – the main location of the WYF-2024 – there was also a fashion show by a domestic brand as part of the special cultural patronage program. Young people from Nizhny Novgorod and Brazil took part in this event.

A delegation of foreign participants of the WYF–2024 arrived in Tula as part of the Memory Lane. On the first day, the children learned the history of the hero city and visited iconic and memorable places, including the memorial to the Defenders of the Fatherland Sky, the Victory Square, the Patriot Park, and the Tula Defense Museum.

“People in Tula are very kind and welcoming. It's been my first day in the city, but it feels like the heart of the country. Tula is a hero city, and I can understand why. Russia won the Great Patriotic War thanks to the courage of people who had to defend their country, their home and family,” said Amine Mesili, a participant of the Festival from Algeria.

Young people brought flowers to the eternal flame at the Three Bayonets memorial complex, and also laid a time capsule with a message for future generations.

“Today I realized that Tula made a huge contribution to the victory in the Great Patriotic War. I want to thank Russia for the victory, veterans and 20 million people who gave their lives for our future. Hats off to the great Russian soldiers for their feat,” said Yannick Matondo Kvabo, a participant in the WYF—2024 from the Netherlands.

In the south of Russia, foreign guests of the Festival got to know the natural resources of our country. As part of the Country Without Borders route, the participants of the WYF–2024 in the Republic of Dagestan visited the Sulak Canyon, one of the deepest not only in Europe, but also in the world. Young people from abroad admired the beauty and diversity of Russia's nature.

“This trip broadens the mind and helps me learn more about Russia and, for example, Dagestan. It seems to me that my homeland and Dagestan are very similar, including cultural diversity. I am very happy to be in Russia,” said Andreas Espinosa, a participant of WYF—2024 from Colombia.

Today was the final day of the trip through the territory of the new regions of Russia, where we took the We Are Back In Russia route. A delegation of foreign young participants in Crimea went on an excursion to the Tavrida art cluster, a platform of opportunities for young people of culture, art and creative industries. Nevertheless, the tour of Russia is not over yet – the guys are going to Moscow for the Russian International Exhibition and Forum.

“Crimea surprises with its scale. We have a very busy program, I want to have time to see everything, explore more, take pictures, and keep these moments in my memory,” said Victorio Roman Cuer Gomez, a participant in WYF—2024 from Paraguay.

The participants of the WYF–2024 also visited the Meganom Academy of Creative Industries, a year—round educational center with a conceptually new approach to education. They learned that young representatives of culture, art and creative industries can receive here specialized professional education.

“The Tavrida Art Cluster is a very beautiful place. I even wanted to bring students from my country here. Young people have a lot to learn and bring their talent to light here,” said Nabil Al Qayat, a participant of WYF—2024 from Iraq.

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The World Youth Festival will take place in 2024 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.