Events digest: highlights of the week at the National Centre RUSSIA
The II International Symposium "Inventing the Future", the XXIX International Rospatent Conference, the opening of the federal stage of the "GosStart.Internships" track of the All-Russian programme for supporting young civil servants "GosStart" — and many other important events, emotions, and trends of the National Centre RUSSIA are featured in this week’s digest.
II International Symposium "Inventing the Future"
On 7 – 8 October, the II International Symposium "Inventing the Future" was held at the National Centre RUSSIA. The event brought together more than 7,000 participants from 86 countries, including representatives of the SCO, BRICS, Europe, the USA, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. The online broadcasts of the sessions were viewed by over 50.8 million people. Representatives of all regions of the Russian Federation also took part. The main outcome of the Symposium was the development of applied future scenarios and their visualisation. Recognising its responsibility for the destiny of the world, Russia initiated the creation of scenarios aimed at driving a global transformational shift — essential for sustainable development in economic, technological, environmental, and social spheres.
At the opening ceremony, Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia and Deputy Chair of the Organising Committee of the National Centre RUSSIA, read out a welcome address from The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to the participants. The President emphasised that the future must be created on the basis of a sovereign worldview and continuous bold, innovative pursuit, grounded in the achievements of ancestors and the nation’s historical, spiritual, and patriotic traditions.
Maxim Oreshkin also announced that the Symposium had become part of the global Open Dialogue ecosystem — a decision highlighted by Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, as she summarised the event’s results.
"The II International Symposium 'Inventing the Future' has come to an end. This year, experts from 86 countries joined us — from North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Thank you all for such great interest. Our Symposium is special: it brings together representatives of many creative professions — scientists, architects, artists. It’s a pity that this grand event is ending. But there is also good news: Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia Maxim Oreshkin announced that the Symposium will now become part of the global Open Dialogue ecosystem," said Natalia Virtuozova.
The programme of the II International Symposium "Inventing the Future" included an expert section and, for the first time, an open educational programme for all visitors. Around 50 events were held — panel discussions, lectures, scenario workshops, strategic sessions, project laboratories, workshops, and audience-voted debates, among others.
The intensive expert programme featured three thematic tracks — "Society", "Technology", and "Global Cooperation". One of the key events was the scenario workshop "Scenarios of the Future: At the Intersection of Science and Creativity", where science fiction authors, futurists, researchers, and creative industry representatives compiled a bank of ideas with future scenarios. In total, about 100 forecasts and applied scenarios of future development were created as part of the expert programme, some of which were accompanied by visualisations.
The "Society" track became one of the largest and most wide-ranging. Experts discussed social forecasting and design, social models of the future, and trust as a key resource for social development. Following the discussions, a package of best practices in social design was compiled, and the most effective scenarios for societal development were identified. Speaking at the session on social design, Alexander Kharichev, Head of the Presidential Directorate for Monitoring and Analysis of Social Processes, announced the creation of the Institute of Social Architecture in Russia:
"The Institute of Social Architecture will resemble a design bureau that will create models based on forecasts and take into account technological changes — in communication, in the social environment, and in social groups. It will also aim to build models of social transformation, as well as to design and implement projects," said Alexander Kharichev.
Continuing the discussion on cooperation between the state and public institutions, Andrei Fursenko, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation, noted:
"A very important goal is to establish effective interaction between science, business, government and, of course, education. Without this interaction, progress is impossible. The Russian Science Foundation now plays a key role in supporting scientific and technological projects, funding fundamental and applied research at the intersection of science and business. Such cooperation and support are vital," explained Andrei Fursenko.
Experts of the track also discussed challenges in demography, urban planning and resettlement, labour market development, the art and media content of the future, and the shaping of a new visual style for Russia.
Within the "Technology" track, participants discussed the transfer of scientific developments into the real economy, artificial intelligence as a new language of reality, and scenario planning in technologically significant industries. Physicists, mathematicians, and engineers made forecasts on the creation of a new generation of sensors, biomedical devices, and computing systems at the threshold of the second quantum revolution. Scientists, doctors, bioengineers, and AI developers evaluated the potential of future biotechnologies, which are already transforming modern medicine. Much attention was also given to space exploration and the goals set by Russia in this sphere.
The "Global Cooperation" track focused on changes in international relations. Experts from various industries developed cooperation plans between Russia and the Global South in agriculture, nuclear energy, space, and creative industries. They also formulated a joint vision for Russia–Africa partnership by 2063.
More than 260 experts from diverse fields took part in the Symposium’s expert programme — public officials, business leaders, scientists and engineers, futurists and forecasters, public figures, representatives of culture and media, and young specialists.
The open programme attracted participants of all ages and professions who care about the future of Russia and the world. For two days, the open lecture series "Day of the Future Human" was held, where visionaries, scientists, designers, and creative industry professionals shared their insights on what changes await the world.
For example, Brian Gleeson, CEO of the Radisson Collection Paradise Resort & Spa in Sochi, presented the prospects for the hospitality industry. According to him, hotels and resorts will actively adopt technologies to make services more personalised and convenient for every guest.
"In the hospitality industry of the future, the key objective will be to integrate artificial intelligence and technology for service personalisation. Hotels will transition to contactless check-in via mobile applications, while room infrastructure management — lighting, climate, service requests — will become fully automated. Technologies will enable the creation of a unique experience for each guest, taking into account individual preferences in nutrition, health, and leisure. We can expect growth in wellness tourism, educational programmes, and modular budget hotels. At the same time, traditional tourist destinations will remain alongside the emergence of new regions for hospitality development," explained Brian Gleeson.
Events of the Symposium sparked great interest among international experts and guests. Rodrigo Andres Quevedo Silva, Chair of the Robotics Association of Chile and an expert in artificial intelligence, bioengineering, and cybersecurity, shared his impressions: "This is my second time taking part in the International Symposium, and I see a high level of participants, speakers, and the topics discussed here. It seemed to me that Russia is already living in the future. While many countries are still in the past, Russia is in the future."
Russia’s leadership in biotechnology was noted by Yusef Khesuani, Co-founder and Managing Partner of the company "Solutions for 3D Bioprinting": "In terms of clinical application of 3D bioprinting, Russia has surpassed other countries — and this breakthrough has taken just two and a half years. Russia now has the most practical experience compared to other countries in the world: more than 40 patients are already living with transplanted bioprinted structures."
On the sidelines of the Symposium, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia signed cooperation agreements with the AST publishing house, the ANO "National Priorities", and the "Contribution to the Future" charitable foundation. These agreements formalise collaboration within the framework of the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia. The joint projects will focus on promoting science fiction and developing education in the field of artificial intelligence.
"The Decade of Science and Technology, announced by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, is an unprecedented initiative bringing together a wide range of agencies, companies, and public organisations. The main goal of the Decade is to attract talented young people to research and development. Today, Russian science is among the youngest in the world: almost every second scientist in the country is under 40. This is a unique situation, because twenty years ago, there were far fewer young people in this field," said Denis Sekirinsky, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
The Symposium also hosted the first Russian Science Fiction Literary Award. The winners were announced in four categories: "Fiction Work", "Visual Image", "Translation", and "Publishing Project". The total prize fund amounted to 4 million roubles.
Among the most notable events of the Symposium was the First Neurocontent Cup of the presidential platform "Russia — Land of Opportunity", aimed at supporting specialists creating innovative content for public and commercial organisations. School and university students took part in the quiz "History of the Future: Technologies of Science Fiction", held as part of a nationwide educational campaign marking the 100th anniversary of Arkady Strugatsky.
A lively atmosphere filled the public debates between techno-optimists and techno-pessimists, as well as supporters of protocol and creative diplomacy. Young scientists took part in the session "Case Study: Projects and Innovations Changing the World", where they spoke about their landmark projects and the specifics of scientific work. The participants shared personal stories not only about their achievements but also about what usually remains behind the scenes — doubts, unexpected turns, and moments that changed their professional paths forever.
The open programme also featured lectures on various topics, the gastronomic show "Food of the Future", and much more.
For two days, crowds gathered at the interactive robotics exposition, where guests were greeted by a robot hostess, a robot artist, and a humanoid robot named Ardi, while robot dogs and a robot cat demonstrated tricks. Visitors could play drone basketball and drone football, and in the Gastronomic Rows area, they were treated by a robot ice-cream maker, a robot barista, and robot waiters.
The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" was organised on the instructions of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin under the aegis of the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, and the Ministry of Culture of Russia. The analytical partner was the VCIOM Analytical Centre, and the literary partner was the Eksmo-AST Publishing Group.
XXIX International Rospatent Conference
On 9 October, the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow hosted the XXIX International Research and Practical Conference of the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) titled "Intellectual Property in the New Model of Science and Technology Development". Traditionally, the conference serves as a platform for the exchange of experience between the scientific community, government representatives, and business.
The main event of the conference was the plenary academic session "Intellectual Property as a Basis for Cooperation Between Science and Business", dedicated to strategic issues in the development of Russia’s innovative economy. The session was moderated by the Head of Rospatent, Yuri Zubov, who noted that the conference brings together parliamentarians, government officials, representatives of research organisations, leading universities, development funds, industry associations, and businesses. According to him, such broad representation makes it possible to develop joint approaches to solving key challenges that are at the core of forming a new model for the country’s scientific and technological progress.
"The discussion is focused in intellectual property as a catalyst for transforming fundamental knowledge and scientific ideas into real economic assets. The President of Russia has repeatedly emphasised the need to implement technology transfer and introduce scientific developments into practice. The development of intellectual property in Russia is inseparable from the national goals of achieving technological leadership and ensuring sustainable economic growth. Today, we are working to create domestic technologies and industries, but it is equally important to accelerate their implementation into the real sector of the economy," said Yuri Zubov.
During the plenary session, participants discussed ways to improve legislation in the field of intellectual property, to increase the investment appeal of research through IP mechanisms, to develop partnerships between universities and companies for faster technology transfer, and to enhance international cooperation between science and business.
Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education, and Chairman of the Central Council of the All-Russian Society of Inventors and Innovators (VOIR), Vladimir Kononov, emphasised that the country’s technological leadership directly depends on the quality of engineering education.
The President of the Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO), PhD in Law, Grigory Ivliev, spoke about the international aspects and importance of cooperation between science and business. In his view, international technology exchange is a necessary condition for the development of any innovative company.
At the end of the plenary session, participants agreed that in order to strengthen science as a driving force of the economy, it is essential to integrate intellectual property into educational programmes, foster an innovative and entrepreneurial environment among students, and support young researchers through targeted grants, accelerators, and training initiatives.
The conference’s business programme included three sessions featuring speakers from business, regulatory bodies, and academic and educational institutions. Particular attention was given to the development of regional IP support ecosystems and the exchange of best practices. These topics were discussed during the strategic session "Intellectual Property: Development Models in the Regions of the Russian Federation", moderated by the Director of the Federal Institute of Industrial Property (FIPS), Oleg Neretin.
The session resulted in a consolidated position on the importance of actively using intellectual property and regional brands as drivers of the country’s economic and innovative development.
The second part of the strategic session focused on medicine — "Models of Innovative Development of Medical Technologies". Participants highlighted the importance of integrating science, medicine, and pharmaceuticals to create an innovative economy and strengthen national pharmaceutical security.
Overall, the discussions demonstrated that further development of the intellectual property market plays a crucial role in reinforcing technological sovereignty, increasing the number of innovative companies, and ensuring comprehensive support for young scientists and research teams.
As part of the business programme, a series of events for the younger generation was held on managing IP mechanisms. These included a case session for researchers, "Patent for IT Solutions: A Cornerstone for Attracting Investment", which explored why patents are essential for business. The Russian State Academy of Intellectual Property (RSAIP, part of the Rospatent ecosystem) organised a dialogue with young scientists on protecting exclusive intellectual rights. At the meeting of the IP BIBLIOGRAPHY Club, chaired by FIPS Director Oleg Neretin, particular attention was given to engaging young people in the IP field — helping students and young researchers understand the legal and economic aspects of scientific creativity.
On 10 October, the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow hosted the opening ceremony of the federal stage of the "GosStart.Internships" track, part of the All-Russian programme supporting young civil servants "GosStart" by Rosmolodezh. The two-week federal programme brings together 250 participants from more than 65 Russian regions, as well as 10 representatives of the Republic of Abkhazia.
The participants will take part in internships at 37 federal government bodies, including the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, the Ministry of Education of Russia, the Ministry of Energy of Russia, the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of Russia, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, and other agencies.
"For the third year in a row, we have been implementing our large-scale programme, and for the first time, we are launching the internship stage on such a scale — at the National Centre RUSSIA, for which I would like to express special gratitude to the Centre. Over the entire duration of the programme, more than 8,000 young people have taken part in internships — those who seek their calling, want to develop and serve their country. I would like to sincerely thank the 37 federal government bodies that have accepted interns this year. It is an excellent and inspiring trend!" said Deputy Head of Rosmolodezh, Yegor Litvinenko.
For young civil servants, an educational programme titled "Effective State and Municipal Governance" will be held, after which participants will receive certificates of professional development. The programme will also include meetings with experienced civil servants, training sessions, and workshops organised by leading youth and non-profit organisations. Each participant will also receive an individual career development plan.
At the end of the federal stage, a ranking of the 50 best interns will be compiled, and they will be recommended for employment in federal government bodies.
The closing ceremony of the "GosStart.Internships" federal stage, featuring the awarding of the "Best Intern" nomination and presentation of certificates, will take place on 24 October 2025.
The Rosmolodezh programme "GosStart" is implemented jointly with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Russia, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, and the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. The initiative aims to enhance the attractiveness of public service and prepare a talent pool for future government work.
Alexei Teksler presented the development strategy for the Chelyabinsk region
At the National Centre RUSSIA, Governor of the Chelyabinsk region Alexei Teksler presented the region’s comprehensive development strategy as part of the "Platform of the Future: Region-2030. 100 Steps" series. In his address, he emphasised that people — their well-being and opportunities for self-fulfilment — remain the key priority. Presenting the strategy, he outlined nine priority areas covering all spheres of life and elaborated on the progress achieved in each.
"Our task is to make the region one of absolute opportunities for all residents of the Chelyabinsk region, for all generations. "The first priority is called 'All for Victory'. The second focuses on happy families. The third is a harmonious life for every person. The fourth is work, self-demand and self-realisation. The fifth is accelerated technological development, which is extremely important for our region. The sixth is the development of rural areas and agriculture — we call this direction 'Strong Village'. The seventh is infrastructure for quality of life. The eighth is environmental protection and ecology. And the ninth is the new image of our cities," said the Governor of the Chelyabinsk region, Alexei Teksler.
All nine areas, he noted, are aligned with the national development goals of the Russian Federation.
"In general, when we talk about the development of the region, we proceed from the idea that people living in the Chelyabinsk region should see and build their future here. Therefore, one of our key tasks is to make our region a 'Moscow' — not in terms of functionality, but in the quality of life, comfort, and opportunities for all citizens," concluded Alexei Teksler.
The II International Symposium "Inventing the Future" at the National Centre RUSSIA gathered over 260 Russian and international experts on a single platform. From 7 to 8 October, they discussed the evolution of society, technological development, and the prospects for international cooperation. The outcome of their work was a set of positive scenarios for the future — open to further refinement and development.
To give everyone an opportunity to learn from the Symposium speakers and glimpse into the future, the National Centre RUSSIA launched a special Dzen project — a channel featuring exclusive interviews with experts from various fields. Each conversation invites viewers into the world of tomorrow, exploring how technologies shape our lives, what the cities of the future will look like, and how humanity will master outer space.
Maxim Chepezubov, Director of the Project Management Department at the Fund for Infrastructure and Educational Programmes of the Rosnano Group, shared insights with Yevgenia Miroshkina on how technologies are transforming the world around us (for instance, how nano-carbon materials make it possible to 3D-print new organs!)
In his interview, Valentin Bianki, Leading Expert at the Centre for African Studies of the Higher School of Economics and Head of Bianki & Partners, explored the nuances of Russia–Africa relations and explained why Russia is welcomed and valued on the African continent (spoiler: Russia offers mutually beneficial economic solutions without threatening sovereignty).
Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Dean of the Faculty of Space Studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, Vasily Sazonov, described the road to the future through digital space and explained why the space industry drives innovation across all fields.
Deputy Director General of ANO "Dialogue Regions" and founder of the "New Media Workshop" Yulia Ablets shared her view of the content and heroes of the future, explaining why the "super" prefix no longer works and why ordinary people are becoming the true heroes of our time.
Head of the scientific group at "Rosatom – Quantum Technologies" Dmitry Chermoshentsev discussed the second quantum revolution, the role of quantum technologies in everyday life, and how quantum computers solve tasks beyond the capacity of conventional machines.
Deputy Director for Science at Medtech and founder of the gene-surgery company Irina Alekseyenko introduced the audience to the potential of biotechnologies that may one day allow humanity to live like in a fairytale — long and happy lives.
Dean of the Faculty of Design and Media Communications at the Presidential Academy, Yekaterina Gurova, together with Yevgenia Miroshkina, reflected on the "new Russian style" and the defining qualities of Russians — not only their breadth of soul, but also their keen and active minds.
Director of the Centre for Geodemography and Spatial Development at Lomonosov Moscow State University, Alexander Panin, outlined how Russia’s settlement system will evolve in the future and explained why small towns are just as vital to the country’s sustainability as major cities.
Awarding ceremony of the winners of the second hackathon of the First Neurocontent Cup special project
The presidential platform "Russia – Land of Opportunity", together with the Internet Development Institute, the National Centre RUSSIA, and ANO "Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies", summed up the results of the second hackathon of the special project First Neurocontent Cup. The project supports professionals who use neural networks to create relevant content about the country’s achievements. The event, held as part of the II International Symposium "Inventing the Future", brought together 27 teams from across Russia competing for the main prize. The winner was the team KROLIKI from Moscow.
"It is especially important for us that the next Neurocontent Cup will become the first regional stage. It will be held this December as part of the opening of the new branch of the National Centre RUSSIA in Krasnoyarsk. I truly hope that my native Siberian region will take an active part in it. I have already seen some of your works — and they are incredible! Honestly, it gives me goosebumps to see how talented, brave, and inspired you all are. Thank you so much!" said Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, Natalia Virtuozova.
The First Neurocontent Cup is a special project of the presidential platform "Russia – Land of Opportunity" and the Internet Development Institute, designed to support specialists who use neural networks to create content for government and commercial organisations. The initiative brings together content managers, copywriters, video makers, motion designers, and AI creators, giving them the opportunity to show how new technologies can be used to shape a positive, creative image of the country.
"It has become clear that neurocontent is creativity in its purest form. But when technology is combined with the human mind, soul, and empathy, it reaches an incredible level. Many videos were deeply moving, and in those moments it felt both joyful and a little frightening: if AI, guided by human hands and intelligence, can evoke such powerful emotion, what awaits us tomorrow? Thank you so much, everyone — you are amazing!" said Director General of the presidential platform "Russia – Land of Opportunity", Rector of the Senezh Management Workshop, Andrei Betin.
27 teams competed in the hackathon at the National Centre RUSSIA. The ideas for their projects were generated by experts on the first day of the II International Symposium "Inventing the Future". The central theme was "Russia of the Future Is...", with teams using neural networks to visualise concepts in four key areas: "Technologies of Tomorrow", "Human of the Future", "Cities of the Future", and "Union of Science and Creativity".
"We see young people’s growing interest in creative industries and technologies. In the First Neurocontent Cup special project, 75% of participants are young people. And this is not just a competition, but a real platform for developing creative skills and identifying talented individuals who combine creativity with technology. It is especially valuable that participants create content while acquiring new knowledge and tools, enriching it with meaning and depth," said Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, Grigory Gurov.
At each stage of the Cup, teams were evaluated for both the speed and quality of the content they created, covering the entire production cycle — from text and image generation using neural networks to animation and final video assembly.
The expert jury of the project included Director General of the presidential platform "Russia – Land of Opportunity" and Rector of the Senezh Management Workshop Andrei Betin, Director General of the Internet Development Institute Alexei Goreslavsky, Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Natalia Virtuozova, Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Grigory Gurov, Managing Director and Head of the Immersive Solutions Centre at Sber Maxim Kozlov, Advisor at the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects Vladimir Kosteyev, Deputy Head of the Presidential Directorate for the Development of Information and Communication Technologies and Communications Infrastructure Alexei Maksakov, Director of the Original Production Department at PREMIER and RUTUBE Alexei Fedorov, film director and producer Angelina Ashman, and First Deputy Director General of the presidential platform "Russia – Land of Opportunity" Gennady Guryanov.
"It is now crucial to systematically support those who can work with technologies without losing depth and originality of ideas. These are exactly the kind of teams we see at the Neurocontent Cup, which will become a launchpad for many creators. But they also need to continue developing within the industry, implementing larger-scale projects. That is why the Internet Development Institute will launch a new contest in November for AI-generated content — for authors who can convey clear and relatable meanings through new technological formats," said Director General of the Internet Development Institute Alexei Goreslavsky.
The winning team, KROLIKI, received a contract with ANO "Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies" for producing socially significant content worth 500,000 roubles.
"Neural networks are becoming a full-fledged creative tool, and the 'First Neurocontent Cup' inspires people to develop new formats for other contests. For example, applications have already opened for the 'Picture of the World' contest, which includes the nomination 'Digital and Neural Art'. We encourage the teams from the first and second hackathons to upload their short videos to the contest website — the best ones, after voting, will be exhibited at the Tretyakov Gallery branch in Samara. Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, also suggested holding regional stages of the contest, with the next hackathon to take place in December in Krasnoyarsk. This is the best recognition of the format that the team created and implemented," said First Deputy Director General of the presidential platform "Russia – Land of Opportunity" Gennady Guryanov.
The first hackathon of the First Neurocontent Cup took place in Moscow in early September 2025. It received 272 applications from 57 Russian regions, with 53 finalists forming 17 creative teams. The winner was the team Klever from Saint Petersburg.
First Russian Science Fiction Literary Award
As part of the II International Symposium "Inventing the Future", the National Centre RUSSIA hosted the ceremony for the first Russian Science Fiction Literary Award. The total prize fund amounted to four million roubles, which were distributed among four winners.
"Science fiction is not fashionable modern fantasy or mere entertainment. It is truly valuable, essential literature that fulfils an important social function and allows us to look beyond the horizon. It instils faith in the boundless potential of humanity and the human mind. I am confident that modern Russian science fiction possesses the same positive potential. The award we are presenting today at the National Centre RUSSIA will help us discover new names and talents, and create new, remarkable works. Most importantly, it will inspire readers — especially young ones — to take an interest in science and dedicate their lives to creation rather than scrolling on their phones," said Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky.
In addition to cash prizes, the winners received a special statuette combining images central to the spirit of science fiction. From one angle, it resembles a spaceship — a symbol of daring, scientific exploration, and striving for the stars. From another, it appears as a spinning top — representing eternal motion, harmony, and balance.
"Today is a real celebration, as this is the first Russian Science Fiction Award. Its establishment is a timely and significant step. Firstly, it revives interest in the genre. Secondly, both Russia and the Soviet Union have incredible traditions in science fiction. Most importantly, this initiative will help create a system to support young authors, ensure that new works reach their readers, and provide fresh momentum for scientific and technological breakthroughs," said Deputy Head of the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects Alexei Zharich.
The winners in the four categories were:
"Fiction Work" — Roman Afanasyev, "Star Pilot"; "Visual Image in Science Fiction" — Daria Konopatova, "Stargazer 256"; "Translation" — Tatyana Cherezova, "The Mountain in the Sea" by Ray Nayler; "Publishing Project" — Eurasian Book Agency, a series of space-themed science fiction books for high school students.
The prize in the "Publishing Project" category was presented by Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Natalia Virtuozova.
"This is the first literary award in the field of science fiction, and I would like to thank the Writers' Union of Russia for our joint decision to establish it. Science fiction is, above all, about dreaming. On the first day of the Symposium, we talked a lot about dreams becoming reality. Books allow us to touch those dreams and hear the author’s living voice. People continue to read books, magazines, and newspapers. Many predicted that digital media would replace print — but that is not true. Printed books will never disappear, because the world chooses with its heart, and that means — with love," said Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Natalia Virtuozova.
The Science Fiction Award aims to promote initiatives focused on envisioning the future and advancing the literary genre. In 2025, works published during the previous period were eligible for participation.
The NAUKA 0+ Festival opened at the National Centre RUSSIA
The National Centre RUSSIA hosted the grand opening of the International Festival NAUKA 0+— the largest educational project in the world and one of the key events of the Decade of Science and Technology in the Russian Federation.
"Many thanks to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Moscow Government and Moscow State University for choosing the National Centre RUSSIA to celebrate the major anniversary of this important festival, NAUKA 0+. The exposition ‘Your Quantum Universe’ is opening here today. Everyone can visit it today and tomorrow to explore the future and the most advanced technologies, to understand what a quantum is and why it matters. We know this is now an extremely popular field. Children dream and take an interest in it, while our scientists continue developing quantum science. Once, it was someone’s dream — and now it is already a reality," said Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Anastasia Zvyagina.
She reminded the audience that earlier this year the first regional branch of the National Centre RUSSIA opened in Vladivostok. New spaces in Khanty-Mansiysk and Krasnoyarsk will soon follow. Anastasia Zvyagina invited the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia to collaborate on filling these venues with educational content and suggested that the NAUKA 0+ Festival should also be held there.
"It is important that more and more children and young people across Russia take part in this festival every year, so that they can discover something new and help our science move forward," she emphasised.
As part of the NAUKA 0+ Festival, this year the immersive exposition "Your Quantum Universe" is held. It welcomes visitors with unusual interactive activities open to everyone. The exposition features art objects and installations that explain complex concepts such as the principles of superposition and uncertainty in clear and accessible ways. In the "Quantum Maze" section, guests can experience what it feels like to be quantum particles and literally walk into the laws of the microworld. The main goal of these experiments is to show in practice that quantum particles possess ‘superpowers’ — they can move in multiple directions, interact over distance and even pass through walls.
"I’m genuinely envious of today’s children. Firstly, they are taught about an extremely complex topic — quantum physics — in an incredibly accessible way. When I was little, that was impossible. Secondly, our country is now actively involving talented young people in research and development. And thirdly, there is now a wonderful venue partnering with nearly every scientific event — the National Centre RUSSIA. Science is always present here, and that’s simply fantastic," said Deputy Director of the Department of State Policy in the Field of Scientific and Technological Development of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia Ali Asadov.
Vice-Rector of Moscow State University for Informatisation, Event Organisation and Support, and Head of the Festival Directorate Leonid Gusev reminded the audience that 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the event. The festival was first held in 2006 at the initiative of Rector of Moscow State University Viktor Sadovnichy, who proposed presenting scientific research to a wide audience in an engaging and accessible way.
"Over 20 years, thanks to the efforts of the Rector of Moscow State University, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Moscow Government, the NAUKA 0+ Festival has grown from a university project into a large-scale international celebration of science. In 2023, it went beyond Russia for the first time, and this year events will take place in ten friendly countries," said Leonid Gusev.
As part of the festival, an extensive programme of open lectures will be held, featuring leading Russian scientists, researchers and experts in quantum technologies, as well as in the natural and social sciences. Representatives of Moscow State University, the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Russian Quantum Centre will speak about the development of quantum computing and communication systems, the philosophical aspects of knowledge, and the future of domestic research.
Among the topics are the application of quantum technologies in industry and education, the language of science and its influence on understanding complex concepts, biomedical research, the life of organisms in extreme environments, and the prospects of virtual reality. The lectures aim to show how modern discoveries are transforming our understanding of the world and bringing the future of science closer.
Admission to the exposition is free. Visitors can immerse themselves in the world of quantum physics, try their hand as explorers of the microworld, and learn how discoveries in this field are already transforming technology, science and everyday life.
Guests are welcome from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 20:00.
The Chelyabinsk Region Days have concluded at the National Centre RUSSIA.
