25 participants from 20 countries begin discovering Yugra at the National Centre RUSSIA
Twenty-five participants from 20 countries have arrived in Khanty-Mansiysk as part of the regional programme of the International Festival of Youth — 2026. The international guests began discovering Yugra at the National Centre RUSSIA in Yugra, where the programme opened with an interactive tour of the "See Yugra — Fall in Love with Russia!" exposition.
Guests from Austria, Azerbaijan, Argentina, Brazil, Hungary, Honduras, Zambia, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Senegal, Serbia, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo and South Africa will spend several days exploring the region through its culture, nature, scientific and industrial potential and, most importantly, through communication with Yugra residents.
"On our rugged northern land, peoples, histories and destinies have come together — and this is exactly what we want to show the programme participants. They will discover not only the region's attractions, but also its residents, who have long been looking forward to this meeting. I am sure the guests will have ideas and proposals, while we will have an opportunity to agree on joint projects. But most importantly, they will see and experience Yugra for themselves, because the eyes do not lie. Our motto is 'See Yugra — Fall in Love with Russia!', and we hope it will become true for the participants as well," said Yakov Samokhvalov, Director of the Yugra Department of Youth Policy, Civic Initiatives and External Relations.
At the National Centre RUSSIA in Yugra, participants were able to learn more about the region and immerse themselves in its atmosphere. At the exposition, they discovered Yugra's nature and traditions through interactive tasks, games and objects associated with the northern region.
For participant Jovana Carapic from Serbia, this was her first introduction to Yugra: "This is my first time in Yugra, and I was very impressed by the scale of the exposition. Everything here is built around interaction: you can experience the scents of natural resources, play games and try different activities. It is not just information — it is a real immersion that lets you feel what a presentation of a region and a country can be like."
Participant Lilla Pecsi from Hungary noted that while exploring the exposition, she felt an unexpected connection with Yugra. According to her, some elements of northern culture reminded her of her own roots.
"I really liked that the tour was interactive: you could experience nature and learn more about the everyday life of Indigenous peoples. As I walked through the exposition, I had the feeling that I somehow already knew this place. It really impressed me," said Lilla Pecsi.
The participants will next visit Yugra's natural and cultural sites, discover the culture of the Khanty and Mansi peoples, and visit universities, research and medical centres, industrial enterprises and sports facilities. The programme also includes meetings with Yugra families, who will welcome international guests into their homes on 19 September. This format will allow participants to see everyday life in the region and talk with local residents in an informal setting.
Another important part of the programme is joint project work. Participants will develop proposals for the Yugra International Friendship Club and present their ideas on 21 September during a talk show at the National Centre RUSSIA branch.
The International Festival of Youth — 2026 was held in Yekaterinburg from 11 to 17 September and brought together around 10,000 young people from Russia and other countries. After the main programme, international participants set off on expeditions to 30 regions of Russia to discover the country's history, culture and contemporary development.
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