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Celebrating together with the whole world! 🎂 For Cheburashka’s birthday, Calem OG, aka Calem Krasavchik, recorded a video to the iconic song that’s hard to imagine a real birthday without. For decades, Cheburashka has been making friends all around the world. 🟢 And very soon, thousands of young people from different countries will meet him at the IFY–2026 in Ekaterinburg.
Malaysia, get ready for our team! 🇲🇾 The WYFD delegation, together with Rosmolodezh’s “More Than a Trip” program, has arrived in Malaysia! Two and a half busy days are ahead. 🤝 Today in Sarawak, we’ll present the IFY–2026 to the Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts. Tomorrow, we’ll meet with representatives of the international tourism industry to discuss not only Malaysian youth joining the Festival, but also a new tourism concept for working with young people from around the world. In Kuala Lumpur, we’ll continue the dialogue with youth activists from the Malaysian Youth Union, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Russian Embassy, media and content creators. One of the key topics will be Malaysian youth participation in the IFY–2026 and future cooperation. 📸 Follow the updates — more details coming soon!
🍊 Did you know that today Cheburashka’s birthday? It was at the Soyuzmultfilm studio that he got his iconic look — the big-eared character loved by people around the world. We took to the streets of Moscow to ask people what they know about the famous birthday boy 💐 Spoiler: no one is ready to let our big-eared friend retire — both kids and adults recognise him instantly. Looks like age has no power over Cheburashka! Watch the video and wish happy birthday to our friend. Don’t forget to send us your photos with him! ❤️
Following in the footsteps of space pioneers ✨ The Central Federal District will welcome international participants of the IFY–2026 with five unique expedition routes. Two of them will take participants through the Smolensk and Kaluga regions, connecting Russia’s ancient history with its achievements in space exploration. ➡️ Smolensk Region A legendary stronghold and Russia’s Youth Capital 2026. Participants will explore the famous Fortress Wall and Royal Bastion, visit the fairytale-like Teremok, discover Ancient Rus at Gnezdovo, and experience the region’s modern creative spaces and youth initiatives. ➡️ Kaluga Region The birthplace of Russian cosmonautics and the home of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. Participants will visit the Museum of the History of Cosmonautics, learn about the world’s first nuclear power plant in Obninsk, explore Kaluga’s historic streets and take a cruise along the Oka River. 🚀 These routes show how Russia’s rich history continues to inspire new achievements #IFY2026Expeditions
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3 weeks left until the IFY–2026 🇷🇺 The Festival is getting closer, and soon you’ll be saying goodbye to your new friends — at least until the next time you meet! This week, learn how to say «До встречи!» — See you! 🟢 📍 Try pronouncing some of the Russian words and phrases you’ve learned and send us your videos right here in the comments. We’ll share the brightest ones! #russian_with_wyfd
The participants’ reactions are taking over the internet! ⭐️ And we just had to share them with you! We’ve put together the brightest reactions from people who are already getting ready for the Festival. Thousands of participants from around the world have already said: “I’m going to the IFY–2026!” Now it’s your turn: 🔜 Film your reaction when you get your invitation 🔜 Post it on social media with #IamGoingToIFY2026
Your first Russian food experience could be on us! 🟢 We’re sure one of the best ways for international participants to discover Russia is through its food. So, what would you try first in Russia? 🇷🇺 🎥 Record a video with your answer and post it in the comments or on your social media. At the IFY–2026, we’ll pick one lucky winner and personally treat them to some delicious Russian oladushki! We’ll share the most creative video answers on our social media, and the winners will also receive gifts from our Festival partners!
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Emoji Challenge 🌏✨ Can you name the country without opening a map? 👀 We’ve hidden it in just four emojis — try to guess what they represent! And very soon, representatives from different countries will meet in Ekaterinburg to get to know each other not just virtually, but in person 🤝 Choose your answer and let us know in the comments if you guessed it right ⬇️
Everyone has a dream ✨ And if you applied for the IFY–2026, you’ve already taken the first step towards making yours happen! We’re launching a new series, “What I Dream Of”. Until the Festival, we’ll introduce you to participants from around the world and discover what they’re dreaming about — then, in Ekaterinburg, we’ll see which dreams come true! This time, Sultana Bilkis from India shares her dream. What is she looking forward to the most? Find out in the video! We believe it’s all possible 💗
Sergey Boitsov to attempt a world record with a stratospheric jump ⚡️ Multiple world record holder Sergey Boitsov will attempt a jump from a hot-air balloon at an altitude of around 11–12 km, aiming to beat the current record of 10 060 m set by Polish athletes. 🟢 The jump will take place in celebration of Russia’s National Flag Day and in support of the IFY–2026 The preparation is no ordinary training: altitude chamber tests at the Cosmonaut Training Center with Roscosmos support, −60°C training sessions and wind-tunnel practice. The mission will use equipment developed by leading Russian technology companies. 🩷 Watch it live on August 22 at 12:00 Moscow time on the World Youth Festival Directorate’s VK community and MAER city screens
Back to familiar places, with new experiences ahead ❤️ In 2024, young people from around the world met at the federal territory of Sirius, home to the World Youth Festival. In 2025, the baton was passed to Nizhny Novgorod, which hosted the first World Youth Festival Assembly 🟢 This year, both places will become part of the Festival story once again — this time as part of the Regional Expedition Program for international participants of the IFY–2026 📍 Sirius Federal Territory Participants will discover its high-tech cluster and Olympic venues, now home to Sirius University, the Presidential Lyceum and concert halls, while experiencing the atmosphere of the World Youth Festival–2024. 📍 Nizhny Novgorod The expedition will take participants through the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street, the Chkalov Stairs, the Lower Volga Embankment and the famous Strelka. They’ll also visit places that once hosted the World Youth Festival Assembly. 📌 Cities that have become landmarks of Russia’s youth festival movement are ready to welcome young people from around the world again — with a new format and new discoveries! #IFY2026Expeditions
👋 Easy to spot, but not so easy to catch… Cheburashka’s big anniversary is just around the corner! That means our furry friend will be busy getting ready for the big day 👀 While there’s still time — can you catch him?
33 routes — thousands of stories 💗 Very soon, participants in the regional expedition programs of the IFY–2026 will set off on a journey across different parts of the world. Each route will be built around unique historical heritage, cultural traditions, natural landscapes, and modern achievements. They will take place across 35 regions of the Russian Federation, in the federal territory of Sirius, as well as in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in three formats: 🟠 individual routes within one region 🟠 interregional journeys across several regions and countries 🟠 the themed program, run together «Discover Russia Again» together with National Research University Higher School of Economics This is a chance for 1000 international friends to discover Russia from a new perspective, immerse themselves in local traditions, meet regional leaders, and create memories that will stay with them forever. 🔥 The regional program of the IFY–2026 More Than a Trip ANO. #IFYExpeditions
Remember that viral video of a girl sharing her reaction to getting invited to the IFY–2026? 🟢 That was Angelicha Cherylene, or simply Ceha, from Indonesia! After winning hearts online with her genuine reaction, she can finally say it officially: I’m coming to Russia! 🇮🇩🇷🇺 Jeha can’t wait to meet young people from around the world and is already sending us a warm hello! 👋 📍The distance is getting shorter — see you soon at the IFY–2026!