Russian President Vladimir Putin called on delegates to “change the world together” and build a “just world” in a televised address on September 13 to 10,000 young people gathered for the opening ceremony of the International Festival of Youth in Ekaterinburg.
In a speech broadcast to participants from 191 countries, Putin stated that every nation is free to choose its path independently and is entitled to equal access to resources and technology.
“We want every person to remain human and for their fate be determined by things other than nationality, a wallet packed with money, status or background,” Putin said. “If you share these aspirations, let’s change the world together. We will welcome those who decide to join our projects in Russia. We are equally happy to see you build our shared new, open and, hopefully, just world in your own home countries.”
Putin welcomed the attendees to Yekaterinburg, describing it as the city “where Europe and Asia meet” and a historical centre of Russia’s industrial and intellectual legacy. He highlighted the Russian word “mir”, noting it signifies both peace and the world, which he said explains the character of Russia’s multi-ethnic nation.
“Follow your dreams with Russia,” the president added, referencing the festival’s motto, “Follow Your Dream.”
The festival, which runs until September 17, comprises 5,000 Russian citizens and 5,000 international participants, including 1,000 teenagers aged 14 to 17. The Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) reported that more than 113,000 applications were submitted globally. For the first time in the festival movement’s history, international applications exceeded Russian applications, with a difference of 32,000.
“We are bringing together thinking public from all over the world – young people who reflect on their present and their future, and on what kind of world they are building,” Grigory Gurov, Head of Rosmolodezh, said at a press conference. “Here, our participants launch projects, make international connections, and form teams. Our job is to create the right conditions for communication and make sure they find it genuinely engaging. We are welcoming creative people, scientists, young civil servants, bloggers, and media representatives, and artists from all over the world. Ekaterinburg truly becomes the capital of the world’s youth during the Festival.”
Delegates from 47 countries have already arrived. The initial arrivals include participants from Algeria, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea, Serbia, and the Seychelles, alongside attendees from Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Slovakia, and Switzerland. The delegations include 13 participants from Canada and eight from the United States.
Angelicha Cherylene, a participant from Indonesia, recorded a video of her reaction to her selection in the summer of 2026, which received more than 10 million views on social media.
“I decided to apply because it is very important to me to contribute to the future,” Cherylene said. “People from all over the world come together here, and for me this is not just a festival – it is also a chance to move forward, one small step at a time. I am hoping the Festival will bring me not just memorable experiences, but also new friendships and the chance to connect with peers from different countries. I am looking forward to making lots of friends, and I appreciate everyone who had a hand in organizing this event.”
The festival’s extensive programme is divided into cultural, sports, and knowledge tracks, with separate tracks established for media representatives and for volunteer and social initiatives. A team-building programme is designed to create a single conceptual thread so participants feel part of a larger community.
Across the festival’s various venues, more than 1,000 artworks by young artists will be displayed, and over 100 chefs and cooks will participate in gastronomic events, according to Gurov. A Russian Literature Book Fair will feature more than 5,000 books of classical Russian literature, available in every language of the world. An Excursion Programme, designed to introduce delegates to the historical, natural, and cultural heritage of the Urals, involves more than 80 tour guides ranging in age from 13 to 65.
One of the primary venues is a 30,000-square-metre exhibition space. Dmitry Ivanov, General Director of the World Youth Festival Directorate, stated that 147 organisations contributed to its creation.
“The exhibition features seven thematic areas, seven spheres of life, which together form a platform for sovereign development – a model that treats the individual, society and the state as a single interconnected space,” Ivanov said.
Organisers focused on the hospitality programme, welcoming all participants with traditional bread and salt, along with apples and pears, reflecting a bumper fruit harvest in the Urals this year. Gurov noted that the foundation of the festival rests on volunteers who ensure those arriving in Ekaterinburg understand their importance to Russia.
The opening and closing ceremonies, scheduled for September 13 and 16, feature a multimedia space composed of multiple platforms. Ivanov noted the shows include performances by various groups across generations, including participants of the 1980 Festival taking the stage alongside their grandchildren.
“The leitmotif of the ceremony will be music that unites people of different nations and generations. We want to show that there are no barriers between countries and peoples,” Ivanov said.
