World Youth Festival Directorate

Foreigners learning to speak Russian at the IFY–2026 🇷🇺 What brought together participants from Zimbabwe, Mexico and India? They worked through a few lessons of a free Russian-as-a-foreign-language course and picked up several new words along the way! Some repeated a word three times over, some laughed at their own pronunciation, and some were surprised by how quickly a new phrase stuck. We'd say it worked out pretty well 🔥 Watch the video to see participants from different countries give Russian a try 💓

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Keep it going, we're loving every bit of it ❤️ Quick reminder about our chat-bot, where we're collecting the biggest archive of the City of World Youth! 📌 Come say hi: @mfm2026_mediabot and save your memories with us

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At the IFY–2026, we had a whole business program block from the "Senezh" Management Workshop, part of the "Russia — Land of Opportunity" Presidential platform 🍭 ➡️ We talked about how to build teams and lead them in all kinds of conditions, and how AI is becoming a digital solution for public administration. ➡️ We also discussed how technology is being introduced into business and government processes, breaking down real cases and approaches. ➡️ Another key topic was youth policy as part of building a nation, and the role young people already play in that today. Participants from different countries got to know each other, shared their management experience, and found people they wanted to keep talking to long after the lectures ended.

Ayanda Kholo, President of BRICS TV Africa, shared how Russian creators and media projects can find their audience abroad and build trust with them 🤝

✨At the IFY–2026, it's not just participants from all over the world meeting each other — delegations from every corner of Russia are here too! Let's do a big festival roll-call? Drop a comment with your region! ✏️

💡 How did the festival movement begin in Russia? Back in 1957, the World Festival of Youth and Students was held for the first time in Moscow — and it brought together 34 000 participants from 131 countries right from the start! The idea was simple but powerful: bring talents from around the world together and build a new future side by side. That's where it all began. ▶️ By the way, for the IFY–2026, the Dzen platform put together a special surprise for our guests — a video on the history of the festival movement in English, adapted especially for an international audience. And that's not all — Dzen's AI assistant, "Glyph," has also learned English just for the Festival, explaining the news in simple language. Now international participants can follow what's happening in Russia and the world, even without knowing any Russian. ⚡️ Want to stay updated on everything happening at the festival? All the important news — on Dzen's dedicated channel. Follow along, it's going to be interesting!

📜 A history that must never be forgotten Throughout the IFY–2026, the exhibition "Memory Under Attack: Neo-Nazism in the 21st Century" is running: a project on why the lessons of the Second World War still matter today. The exhibition brings together unique historical materials from the Nuremberg Trials, alongside the multimedia memorial "Alley of Angels" and a series of art installations. 🌎For international participants, all information is available in 6 languages, with guided tours offered in both Russian and English. 📍Art Gallery, 2nd floor ⏰ 9:00–19:00 The project is organised with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.

The Final Day of the IFY–2026: What to Catch on 16 September?⚡️ Today's theme is "Together for a Just World". Ahead of us: closing discussions, meetings with well-known speakers, sport, and a huge music programme. 🖊 From 10:00 — VK PRO SPORT: VR padel, skateboarding, BMX, graffiti, esports and more. 🖊 12:00 — Head of Russian Railways Oleg Belozyorov at the meeting "Railways: The Path to the Future". 🖊 12:00 — the semi-finals, third-place match and final of the "Friendship of Nations Cup – IFY–2026". Awards presented by Dmitry Tarasov. 🖊 13:00 — Russian Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko on innovation, prevention, and living a long, healthy life. 🖊 13:00 — Jeff Monson at the open dialogue "Not by Birth, but by Spirit: Becoming One of Your Own in Russia". 🖊 13:00 — "Russia's Image in the Global Information Space": Maria Zakharova, Vovan and Lexus, representatives of BRICS TV, Africa, and Rosatom. Moderated by Rick Sanchez. 🖊 13:10 — traditional Ecuadorian dance at the "Cultural Patronage" venue. 🖊 14:00 — a creative talk with Miloš Biković, moderated by director Klim Shipenko. 🖊 14:00 — Maria Zakharova and Vladimir Tabak discuss diplomacy, trust and facts in the age of AI. 🖊 15:00 — Dmitry Malikov at "A Dialogue of Generations: From Classical to Contemporary". 🖊 15:30 — "World All-Stars of Jazz" with Igor Butman, the Moscow Jazz Orchestra, and artists from 8 countries! Don't miss the highlight of the day! 🖊 15:30 — Sergey Lavrov at the open dialogue "A New World Architecture". 🖊 16:30 — guests gather for the Closing Ceremony of the IFY–2026, featuring LAB, Uma2rman, Beautiful Boys, the "Poyushchiye Gitary" ensemble, and Akmal'. The ceremony begins at 17:30! 🖊 20:45 — the ethno-folk show "Each One of Us": AY YOLA, BEARWOLF, "Kazaki Delayut Khity", "Pesnyary" and Lizwi. 🖊 22:00 — a performance by Zivert. 🖊 23:00 — the final DJ set from Police In Paris. The last day is here, make the most of it. Follow your dream 💚 For the full up-to-date programme, check your personal account on the International Platform of Opportunities and the VK mini app!

Came, saw, wanted a ride 🚗 The LADA brand stands are open at the IFY–2026: check out the cars up close, take a look inside, snap a photo next to your favourite model, and join the quest for some great prizes! 📍 Stop by while there's still time!

New Global Architecture: An Open Dialogue with Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation September 16 | 15:35 📍”Gagarin” Hall As part of the International Youth Festival — 2026, MGIMO University is hosting a unique session where Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, will meet with young leaders. 🟪The format of the meeting provides for an open dialogue between the Minister and Festival participants. The title of the session reflects its substantive focus: discussion of current issues on the international agenda in conditions that imply a substantive and candid exchange of views. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting! 🌐 MGIMO International (ENG) | МГИМО для иностранцев (RUS)

Sport brings people together! Head to the VK PRO SPORT zone at the IFY–2026 🏆 💡 3×3 basketball, five interactive stations, exhibition games, tournaments, and master classes from pro athletes. Plus autograph sessions! ➡️ Come solo or bring new friends along — people connect faster on the court than in conversation. After the match, you’ll have plenty to talk about!

🇷🇺 American journalist and host of RT’s “The Rick Sanchez Effect” Rick Sanchez shared what he loves most about Russia and what sets our country apart, for participants of the IFY–2026.

🏆 Is the impossible actually possible? Find out on 16 September, the Day of Science, at Sber's Lecture Hall! The closing day is dedicated to big discoveries, bold ideas, and technologies that seemed like science fiction not long ago and are becoming part of everyday reality today. 🔄 We'll trace the journey of Green the robot, from the first idea to its first dance, and take a look at the city of the future, one that adapts to the people living in it. 🔥 We'll talk about how artificial intelligence is transforming design and industry, and helping build cities that adjust to human needs. ⚡️ We'll dive into generative AI and unpack how machines are learning to create something new. 💚 And we'll hear from women who are already changing the face of science today: their discoveries, their path into research, and how the next generation of scientists will keep pushing the boundaries of what we know. 💻 The full lecture schedule for 16 September is on the card!

Today is Tuesday… you know what that means? 😏 Yes, you guessed it! Burak Yeter is at IFY–2026! And in just ONE HOUR, he’s hitting the stage! 🎧🪩

Learning Russian together with the IFY–2026 and Skyeng 🇷🇺 We're sharing a free course in Russian as a foreign language! The teams at the WYFD and Skyeng put together a course with lessons for every level: complete beginners, A1 and B1. It was created for the Festival, but it stays available after it ends too, so you can keep learning wherever you are, whenever you like. 🫂 If you and the new friends you've made at the Festival ever want to speak Russian, take the opportunity!

💙 On September 15 and 16, the VK “Kids’ Dreams” zone is open at the House of Pioneers! Kids and teens can check out products and services from the VK ecosystem — MAX, VK Education, Sferum, Umschool, Uchi.ru, New Media School, Skillbox Digital College, and Tetrika. There’s a lot to fit into two days, but here’s what not to miss: 🔵 September 15 8:15–9:15 PM Pervykh Lounge, House of Pioneers Test your knowledge in the Umschool quiz “School Is the Base” and compete for prizes. 8:15–9:15 PM Room 334, House of Pioneers Take Skillbox’s career-guidance test and find out which digital profession fits you best. You can also try yourself as a creator: New Media School has prepared a task for a kids’ editorial team — creating viral content about the Festival. The best entries will be featured on the “VZUME” landing page. 🔵 September 16 2:50–3:15 PM Movement of the First stand, EXPO Drop by the Umschool lecture “From Boredom to Engagement” and learn how to make studying more interesting and stay motivated. ✨ Come to the VK “Kids’ Dreams” zone — learn more about the professions of the future, test your knowledge, create your own content, and discover new opportunities!

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Building the future of youth policy together! 🌍 At the IFY–2026, Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region Denis Pasler met with youth policy officials from 17 countries. The conversation covered education, international exchange programmes, sport, professional development, and what young people actually need today to bring their ideas to life. They also looked closely at the Sverdlovsk Region's own experience: career guidance, the development of colleges and universities, and international youth projects. 💻 And most importantly, these ideas and agreements will keep working long after the Festival ends!

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What does happiness mean to you? 🤔 At the IFY–2026, everyone gets to leave their own answer to that question. ➡️ In the lobby on the first floor of Ekaterinburg-Expo, an interactive banner “Happiness is…” is waiting for you. Add to it with a word, a phrase, a drawing, or a wish — anything that happiness means to you personally. Come by and tell us: what does happiness mean to you? This project is supported by the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.