**Russia Hosts 10,000 Participants at International Youth Festival**
Ekaterinburg, Russia – The International Youth Festival kicked off in Ekaterinburg, located in the Urals Region of Russia, drawing approximately 10,000 young people from 191 countries. The week-long event, which began with a formal opening by Russian President Vladimir Putin via video address, aims to foster discussions and collaborations among youth from diverse backgrounds.
In his address, President Putin highlighted Ekaterinburg as a significant cultural crossroads, stating it is a city where “Europe and Asia meet.” He expressed hope for fruitful discussions and successful joint projects among the festival participants.
The festival features a wide array of attendees, including scientists, entrepreneurs, journalists, artists, athletes, and technology specialists. Participants are engaged in hundreds of discussions, workshops, cultural events, and professional exchanges, showcasing the festival's commitment to providing a platform for knowledge sharing and networking.
A notable session during the festival focused on the experiences of foreign nationals who have chosen to make Russia their home. Among the speakers was Cresencia Peter Mashauri, a Tanzanian-born doctor who has lived in Russia for over a decade and currently practices in the Murmansk Region. Also sharing their stories were Italian pianist and blogger Lorenzo Bagnati, Canadian language teacher and blogger Olivier Roy Pelletier, RT Chinese-language journalist Fan Fei, and Italian conductor Fabio Mastrangelo, who has made significant contributions to Russia's classical music scene.
The festival also features an exhibition titled “Catastrophe of Memory: Neo-Nazism in the 21st Century.” This exhibition, inaugurated in the presence of Sergey Kiriyenko, chairman of the festival organizing committee and first deputy chief of Russia’s Presidential Administration, explores historical and modern aspects of neo-Nazism, including the Nuremberg trials and the glorification of Nazi collaborators in contemporary society.
The International Youth Festival in Ekaterinburg follows the 2024 World Youth Festival held in Sochi, which attracted around 20,000 participants from 190 countries. Russia is positioning itself as a regular host for international youth gatherings, with plans for the next full-scale World Youth Festival scheduled for 2030.
As the festival progresses, it continues to highlight Russia's growing appeal as a destination for young people seeking educational and professional opportunities, reflecting a broader trend of international engagement and cultural exchange.