Students from Adygea State University, representing their school at the 2026 International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg.

From September 11th to 17th, Yekaterinburg hosted the large-scale International Youth Festival 2026, bringing together 10,000 young leaders from various fields and 191 countries. 

This year's event saw a record-breaking level of interest: over 113,000 applications were received. For the first time in the history of the festival movement, international applicants submitted 32,000 more applications than Russian participants. This highlights the growing interest of other countries in Russia and reflects our nation's openness to dialogue. 

Among the participants were our students: Olga Smirnova, Adam Alibegov, Kirill Penkovsky, Fuad Mammadov, Azamat Chitaov, Arsen Gumov, Arina Topchiy, and Arina Kharitonova, a student at Moscow State University of the Arts (MGGTK) and the Russian Academy of Sciences. 

They successfully passed the selection process, proving that they truly deserve their place on the regional team.

"I feel wonderful at the International Youth Festival. It’s simply indescribably beautiful here. There are so many diverse people—both foreigners and children from Russia, representing every region. It feels like participants from 191 countries are here. The venues are stunning, and I’m constantly making new acquaintances and friends. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to attend this event," said Arsen Gumov, a student at the Institute of Exact Sciences and Digital Technologies at ASU and a member of the board of the Adygea regional branch of the Russian Youth Union. 

Overall, the festival program is extensive and diverse, featuring approximately 800 events, 450 speakers, and nearly 2,000 artists. A team of 2,000 volunteers will assist in organizing and running the festival. The program is structured around seven key areas of life: human development, the source of life, technological leadership, highways of the future, cultural code, and modern life and activity. Each section is developed in collaboration with a dedicated partner. Participants will have the opportunity to find inspiring experiences, embark on new projects, and connect with friends and like-minded individuals.

The 2026 IMF serves as a platform where the vision of a multipolar future is being shaped. Russia, with its centuries-old history of interethnic dialogue, is opening its doors to the youth community. Here, the foundation for future strong international relations is being laid.