Events digest: highlights of the week at the National Centre RUSSIA
This week’s traditional selection includes the gala concert of the All-Russian Festival "Contemporary Music Map of Russia", the Final Forum of the International Volunteer Corps of the 80th Anniversary of Victory, the forum marking the 15th anniversary of the volunteer search and rescue team "LizaAlert", and other major events at the National Centre RUSSIA.
Vladimir Putin presented state awards for the RUSSIA EXPO
On 4 November, the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, presented state awards. The prizes for strengthening the unity of the Russian nation were awarded by the Head of State to the Deputy Chief of the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects, Alexei Zharich, the Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, Natalia Virtuozova — who received the honorary title of laureate of the Presidential Award of the Russian Federation — and the Deputy Director General for Expositional Activities of the National Centre RUSSIA, Pavel Doroshenko.
"Today we are honouring the laureates who have received their awards over the past few years. These are the authors’ team: Natalia Sergeyevna Virtuozova, Pavel Valentinovich Doroshenko, Alexei Vyacheslavovich Zharich. It is largely thanks to them that a project unique in scale and significance — the International RUSSIA EXPO — has been brought to life. It has become a true event for millions of people, showcasing the vast palette of talents and achievements of our country," said Vladimir Putin.
Forum marking the 15th anniversary of the "LizaAlert" movement
The 11th Interregional Forum "LizaAlert", timed to the 15th anniversary of the volunteer search and rescue team, brought together over 450 volunteers from across the country, as well as representatives of government agencies and the movement’s partners.
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to the "LizaAlert" team.
"Over the years, ‘LizaAlert’ has united a large team of like-minded people in different regions of the country — compassionate, strong-willed individuals who have dedicated themselves to an important and much-needed cause. Thanks to you and your tireless work, hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved, and a systematic training programme has been organised for volunteers ready to lend a helping hand to those whose loved ones are in trouble. I would also like to highlight your ongoing educational activities aimed at preventing dangerous incidents, to which you pay constant attention. Your powerful, socially significant movement and your responsible approach to the tasks before you deserve the deepest recognition and serve as a vivid and inspiring example for young people," the message reads.
Results of the "Peoples of Russia and the CIS" forum-festival
The programme of the "Peoples of Russia and the CIS" Festival, held from 31 October to 5 November, including at the National Centre RUSSIA, featured more than 400 events, 650,000 livestream views of plenary sessions, film premieres, and the gala concert "Contemporary Music Map of Russia". The results of the festival were summed up at the 13th Meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
"Dear colleagues, today’s format is a special one. Our meeting serves as the logical conclusion of the ‘Peoples of Russia and the CIS’ Festival, which was held over the past five days," greeted the participants the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Sergei Shoigu.
Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Alexei Shevtsov, presented a detailed report on the "Peoples of Russia and the CIS" forum-festival.
Gala concert of the All-Russian Festival "Contemporary Music Map of Russia"
The gala concert of the All-Russian Festival "Contemporary Music Map of Russia", which brought together all regions of the country, hundreds of performers, and thousands of spectators, was held on National Unity Day. The project aims to preserve and promote Russia’s national academic performing arts and folk creativity, support composer schools, and strengthen interregional cultural ties.
"The initiative to hold this festival has received broad public support. The project has become a major, truly landmark event in the country’s cultural life, bringing together music lovers, distinguished artists, and young composers and performers around the goal of preserving cultural diversity and popularising the unique creativity of the peoples of Russia," said the Head of State.
The gala concert marked the culmination of a months-long creative marathon. Each region presented its own original composition — a musical ‘calling card’ reflecting the character, traditions, and spirit of its homeland.
"The National Centre RUSSIA is a space that carefully preserves the unique features of all regions of our vast country — their national and cultural traditions — and at the same time fosters the birth of a shared cultural environment. It is symbolic that today, on National Unity Day and on the first anniversary of the National Centre RUSSIA, we are hosting the gala concert of the first All-Russian Festival ‘Contemporary Music Map of Russia’. This is something that has never been done before. The project united all 89 regions of the country and brought together more than 400 artists. I thank the organisers, partners, and participants for bringing this important initiative for Russia to life. This is not just a concert — it is a symbol of our nation’s cultural unity," said Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, Anastasia Zvyagina.
Final Forum of the International Volunteer Corps of the 80th Anniversary of Victory
The three-day event, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of the All-Russian public movement Victory Volunteers, gathered more than 1,500 volunteers from 89 regions of Russia and 35 countries.
Chair of the Central Headquarters of the All-Russian public movement Victory Volunteers and Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on the Development of Civil Society, Public and Religious Associations, Olga Zanko, spoke about the organisation’s new goals:
"I believe that in the future we should focus on several important areas of our work. The first is supporting participants of the special military operation and their families. The second is developing the family-based direction of volunteering. And the third is expanding our work abroad, as Russia’s values are important for other countries too."
Results of the student project contest "Russian Statehood"
One hundred finalists from 51 universities gathered for the awards ceremony of the All-Russian Student Project Contest "Russian Statehood", held within the national project "Youth and Children" with the support of the Russian State University and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. This year’s contest was held for the first time, bringing together 15,000 participants and more than 3,000 teachers from 562 universities across the country.
Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Chair of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights, Valery Fadeyev, stressed the importance of learning about the country as a foundation for patriotism.
"We talk about patriotism — and rightly so. But if we do not know what a great country we have, what kind of patriotism can there be? That is precisely what the ‘Fundamentals of Russian Statehood’ course focuses on. I would like to see schoolchildren also gaining more knowledge about their country. This work is already underway," said Valery Fadeyev.
Forum for high school students
The annual in-person forum for school students on career and education, held in Moscow for the third time, brought together more than 1,500 participants. The leading universities of the Far East presented the best practices and advantages of studying in the region to young people.
An important part of the programme was the interactive exposition within the framework of the Far East Region Days in Moscow, which showcased unique opportunities for travel, study, work, and life created with government support in this macroregion. Special attention was paid to patriotic education.
"Thanks to such educational exposition projects implemented at the National Centre RUSSIA, the Far East is becoming closer. It is important that as many people as possible learn about the unique opportunities for self-realisation created in the region with government support. It is particularly valuable that school students are taking on the role of tour guides," said the Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, Alexei Chekunkov, during his visit to the exposition.
A new stage of the #LETTERTOAHERO campaign started on National Unity Day. On the very first day, more than 300 heartfelt messages were written to those serving on the front line.
"The #LETTERTOAHERO campaign is an important humanitarian initiative, because these letters contain not just words but the warmth and part of the soul of their authors. Each message is a symbol of unity, pride, and our shared gratitude to the defenders. The triangular shape, reminiscent of wartime letters from the Great Patriotic War, is a tribute to historical memory that connects generations. We invite everyone to take part in this meaningful mission!" said Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, Anastasia Zvyagina.
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