Events digest: highlights of the week at the National Centre RUSSIA
Vladimir Putin on the Year of Geography, Mikhail Mishustin on the growing interest in Russian products, the results of the SHUM Award, the outcomes of the "National Healthcare – 2025 Congress", Zakhar Prilepin on patriotism, and much more — in this week’s digest of key events at the National Centre RUSSIA.
The National Centre RUSSIA to prepare an exposition for the Year of Geography
The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, proposed designating 2027 as the Year of Geography.
"With due regard for the contribution of our geographers of different eras to strengthening the state and the great importance of geographical science, I ask the Government to consider declaring 2027 the Year of Geography. It is important for us also from a political perspective. And the main event of that year could be not only the confirmation or creation of new maps of the Russian Federation, but, of course, the opening of the Museum of Geography, which will have great practical significance," said Vladimir Putin.
Ahead of this event, in 2026, the National Centre RUSSIA will host the exposition "Geography Lessons ", which will explore the geography of Russia — a country that occupies one-eighth of the Earth’s landmass.
Mikhail Mishustin at the National Centre RUSSIA: interest in Russian goods continues to grow despite sanctions
The Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Mishustin, spoke about the success of Russian exports at the plenary session "Russia to the World. Building Trust, Expanding Global Connections" at the National Centre RUSSIA.
"The geography of participants expands every year. Today, representatives from nearly 100 countries have gathered here, which demonstrates the strong interest in cooperation with our country. We are open to honest dialogue and mutually beneficial trade. Without doubt, we have much to offer our international partners. As part of this event, the National Centre RUSSIA has organised a large-scale exposition featuring a number of advanced developments and innovative products from leading Russian companies," said the Prime Minister.
The second SHUM National Youth Media and Journalism Award held at the National Centre RUSSIA
On 25 October, the winners and prize-holders of the 2025 SHUM Award were announced at the National Centre RUSSIA. The prize fund of 12 million rubles was shared among 36 young media professionals from 19 regions of the country.
"This year, 15,000 applications were submitted for participation in the SHUM Award. The community is growing and now brings together more than 25,000 people. But what matters most is not just the numbers — it’s the quality. This is evident both from the applications and from the professionalism of the participants. We have decided that in 2026, at the International Youth Festival in Krasnoyarsk, held in accordance with the decree of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, the festival’s information directorate will be formed from among SHUM community members. Your skill and passion are more than enough not only to accomplish this task, but also to ensure that our guests from all over the world see what Russia’s young community of journalists and bloggers truly represents — a professional force to be proud of on the global stage," said First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia Sergei Kiriyenko.
Discussion of national healthcare successes at the National Centre RUSSIA
On 22 October, the 4th National Congress with international participation "National Healthcare — 2025" began at the National Centre RUSSIA.
Key points from the Congress:
— under the national project "Healthcare", the material and technical base has been significantly upgraded. Polyclinics have received new vehicles and mobile complexes. More than 10,000 primary care organisations have been built or renovated, supplied with over 230,000 units of equipment, 60% of which are domestically produced;
— within the national projects "Prolonged Active Life" and "Family", the strengthening and expansion of medical infrastructure continues. By the end of 2030, 4,000 medical units are planned to be opened and more than 45,000 medical devices procured;
— more than 8 million people receive medicines funded by the federal budget;
— 85% of medicines purchased by the state are now domestically produced;
— as part of the maternal and child health programme launched last year, reproductive health assessments have been conducted for nearly 7 million citizens;
— medical rehabilitation continues to develop. Last year, more than 1.5 million people underwent rehabilitation; this year, 1.8 million are expected;
— Staffing in medical institutions is improving. Since the beginning of 2025, the number of doctors has increased by 12,000, and the number of nurses by 9,000.
"Food Matters": the Ministry of Health outlines six principles of healthy eating
At the 4th National Congress "National Healthcare — 2025" at the National Centre RUSSIA, the Minister of Healthcare Mikhail Murashko outlined six key principles that, in his words, guide efforts to promote healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle:
— Accessibility — ensuring that all citizens have access to quality and balanced nutrition, including through state support measures such as school meals.
— Integration of nutrition and health — recognising nutrition as an integral part of the healthcare system.
— Healthy choice — creating conditions that make it easier for people to choose healthy foods (through labelling, placement, and regulation of checkout zones, etc.).
— Education and physical activity — fostering a culture of healthy living through learning and motivation for movement.
— Research — studying dietary patterns, including regional specifics, and their impact on health and ageing.
— Involvement of all institutions — engaging the state, employers, and municipalities in promoting healthy eating and disease prevention.
The exposition "Region-2030. Platform of the Future" concluded at the National Centre RUSSIA
The closing ceremony of the "Region-2030. Platform of the Future" exposition took place at the National Centre RUSSIA. The Amur, Voronezh, Tula, Chelyabinsk, and Jewish Autonomous regions, the Republic of Dagestan, and the Nenets Autonomous Area presented their achievements and development plans.
The exposition "Region-2030. Platform of the Future" ran at the National Centre RUSSIA from 1 September to 23 October and attracted more than 50,000 visitors.
The National Centre RUSSIA will continue to showcase the diversity of our country through the successes and achievements of its regions. From December 2025 to February 2026, the Centre will host the exposition "New Year’s Russia: The Book of Fairy Tales", featuring the Ryazan region, the Republics of Karelia and Mordovia, the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area, the Stavropol region, and other regions.
Logo and concept of the National Centre RUSSIA branch in Yugra unveiled
In the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area – Yugra, a meeting of the organising committee for the establishment of the National Centre RUSSIA branch was held. Participants discussed progress and the key stages of the project. Governor of Yugra Ruslan Kukharuk announced in his Telegram channel that the branch’s logo had been presented. It features a loon – a bird of sacred significance for the peoples of the Far North.
Internships under the "GosStart" programme to be held at the National Centre RUSSIA
On 24 October, the closing ceremony of the federal stage of the "GosStart.Internships" track of the All-Russian support programme for young civil servants "GosStart" took place at the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow. The two-week programme was completed by 250 young people from 65 regions of the country, as well as 10 representatives of the Republic of Abkhazia.
Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Anastasia Zvyagina announced that the Centre and the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) had agreed to launch a joint pilot project in 2026. Internships under the GosStart programme will be held not only in federal executive authorities, but also at the National Centre RUSSIA.
The meeting of the Literary Club "What to Read?!" held on 24 October at the National Centre RUSSIA was dedicated to the image of the father in Russian literature. The guest of the event was writer and public figure Zakhar Prilepin. The discussion was moderated by the Head of the Academic Council of the Centre for Political Conjuncture, Professor of the Higher School of Economics Alexei Chesnakov. Participants explored how the works of Russian classics reflect the role of the father in nurturing patriotism, moral values, and love for the Motherland.
Zakhar Prilepin emphasised that literature has always been closely connected with the state and has carried an educational mission. He noted that today it is essential to maintain the balance between creative freedom and responsibility to the Fatherland.
