"Nevalyashki" art installation from IFY-2026 installed at the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow
The "Nevalyashki" installation, which became one
of the most striking symbols of friendship at the International Festival of
Youth — 2026 in Yekaterinburg, has been installed at the National Centre
RUSSIA.
The art installation became so popular with IFY-2026 guests that it was decided
to move it to Moscow. It has now become part of the National Centre RUSSIA
space as a legacy of the festival, a symbol of dreams about the future and an
embodiment of friendship between countries. The installation is located in the
foyer of the concert hall.
At the festival in Yekaterinburg, the "Nevalyashki" art installation
consisted of a single wave of colourful nevalyashka (roly-poly) toys. Anyone
could choose one, write a personal wish on it and return it to the shared
composition. Young people from 103 countries took part in creating the
collective installation. They left their signatures, wishes, dreams and kind
messages on the nevalyashkas, each of which became part of a shared story.
Distinguished guests of the festival also left their wishes on the art installation. They included First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia Sergei Kiriyenko, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Chernyshenko, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Urals Federal District Artyom Zhoga, Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region Alexei Teksler, Governor of the Kamchatka Territory Vladimir Solodov, and Head of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin.
The nevalyashka is one of the
most recognisable symbols of the National Centre RUSSIA and a true hallmark of
its flagship project, the Department Store RUSSIA. At INNOPROM. Central Asia in
Tashkent, the toy appeared in "clothing" featuring stylised Uzbek
ornaments; in China, it wore a panda "costume" in China's national
colours; and at INNOPROM. India, it was dressed in a traditional sari.
The toy's special meaning lies in its very design: the nevalyashka symbolises
resilience and the ability to get back up no matter what happens. This image
resonated with guests from different regions and countries, while the many warm
messages left on the toys made the installation a memorable part of the
festival's history.
The "Nevalyashki" art installation will now delight visitors to the
National Centre RUSSIA on a permanent basis. Everyone can see it and take a
commemorative photo during the space's regular opening hours, from 10:00 to
20:00 every day except Monday.
The National Centre RUSSIA stand was presented at IFY-2026 from 13 to 16
September in the central part of the "Cultural Code" themed space.
Guests could purchase folk arts and crafts products and unique goods from
Russian manufacturers from different regions, as well as discover Russian culture
and traditional arts and crafts at workshops. Clothing featuring quotes by the
President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and a limited-edition series of
nevalyashkas styled as Cheburashka, the festival's official symbol, were
particularly popular.
Alexei Likhachev, Director General of the Rosatom State Corporation, spoke about the role of family, teachers and personal experience in upbringing at the National Centre RUSSIA.
The National Centre RUSSIA in the Ryazan Region will open on 5 October.
The forums are being held on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.
