Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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The first meeting of the organizing committee for the International Youth Festival, part of the "Youth and Children" national project, was held in Moscow. By decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin, this large-scale international youth event will be held in Yekaterinburg in September 2026.
The organizing committee included representatives of the Presidential Administration and the Government of Russia, federal executive bodies, heads of major Russian companies, rectors of leading Russian educational institutions, and representatives of Russian media holdings and news agencies.
"This year, the International Youth Festival will be held in Yekaterinburg and will bring together 10,000 young people from 190 countries. A new feature of the festival will be the sector-based approach to forming international delegations – the festival will bring together the best representatives of creative industries, public administration, science and technology, sports, entrepreneurship, media, and the social sector – those who are already shaping the future of their countries and the world. This is why it is crucial that the festival become a showcase for the best Russian projects and practices. We want to show young leaders the real Russia – a country of boundless opportunity, where people know how to dream and turn dreams into reality. It's no coincidence that the 2026 festival's motto is "Follow Your Dream. Together with Russia." In the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, declared by President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the festival will become a truly unifying event, clearly demonstrating to the world the richness, diversity, and uniqueness of the traditions of the peoples of our country," said Sergei Kiriyenko, Chairman of the International Youth Festival Organizing Committee and First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office.
Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized that holding the International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg is a great responsibility, given the high level of the 2024 festival at Sirius.
"The national project 'Youth and Children' has been underway since last year. Within the framework of this national project, there's an entire federal project, 'Russia in the World,' dedicated to international youth cooperation and aimed at promoting a positive image of our country abroad. The International Youth Festival, proposed for September 11–17, 2026, is also being held as part of this national project," he noted.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the festival's regional program will be held in 30 regions of Russia. He also instructed Rosmolodezh and the World Youth Festival Directorate to explore the possibility of foreign guests visiting Abkhazia, and instructed senior officials from Russia's regions to participate in the formation of delegations from each region and the program of events.
Dmitry Chernyshenko noted that 5,000 Russian citizens, including 1,000 children aged 14 to 17, and 5,000 foreign citizens will participate in the festival. Two thousand volunteers will assist with the organization and implementation of the event.
"It is proposed that the selection of foreign delegations be conducted through an open competition among participants. Our colleagues have the experience. This will allow us to identify and invite the most promising and talented international youth in accordance with the areas needed at the festival," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Dmitry Chernyshenko instructed federal executive bodies to submit proposals for the event's program.
To develop hospitality measures, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a separate instruction to assist in issuing simplified visas to foreign participants, guests, and media representatives without paying a state fee.
"We want to show that Russia is a country where everyone can find their calling and fulfill their dreams. Together, festival participants will create a vision of the future, where youth dreams come true. Inspired by the successful experience of the 2024 World Youth Festival at Sirius, we are developing the concept of the City of World Youth: not only at the festival venue but throughout Yekaterinburg, we will host a rewarding program, cultural events, concerts, and festivals to immerse everyone in an atmosphere of creativity, idea exchange, and international cooperation," noted Grigory Gurov, Head of Rosmolodezh.
Dmitry Chernyshenko also proposed designating the Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin as the main venues for the festival in Yekaterinburg to accommodate participants and volunteers, and the Yekaterinburg-Expo International Exhibition Center to host the main program of the event.
"One of the flagship programs approved by our President, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, in the higher education system is the construction of student campuses. The new campus of Ural Federal University will host the participants of the International Youth Festival. I am confident that our students and international students will appreciate the campus's facilities and have a productive time," said Valery Falkov, head of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.
Sverdlovsk Region Governor Denis Pasler noted that hosting the International Youth Festival in the Sverdlovsk Region confirms the region's status as the country's youth hub.
"I thank Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin for the trust placed in the Middle Urals. Our goal is to unite young people from all over the world, to inspire them, and to create safe and comfortable conditions for international dialogue and the exchange of experiences. We also want to showcase and tell the story of a modern, creative region with a rich mining history," he emphasized.
The organizer of the 2026 International Youth Festival is Rosmolodezh, and the event operator is the Directorate of the World Youth Festival.
As a reminder, in accordance with Russian President Vladimir Putin's instructions to preserve and develop the legacy of the World Youth Festival, which took place at Sirius in 2024, festival events will be held annually in Russia. The next festival, with 20,000 participants, will be held in 2030.
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