"It is an honour for me to stand on the stage of the National Centre RUSSIA": winners of the competition about the Motherland share their emotions

The award ceremony for the winners of the VII International Competition "Tell the World about Your Motherland" took place at the National Centre RUSSIA on June 7. More than 60 children, teenagers, and adult participants from 22 Russian regions and 21 countries received awards.

Participants shared stories about the traditions and memorable places of their Motherland with compatriots and peers from abroad. The contestants created video clips, presentations, and drawings.

"It is a great honour for me to take first place and receive an award on the stage of the National Centre RUSSIA. For the competition 'Tell the World about Your Motherland', I made a video. I visited a church and we had a conversation with the priest. Our whole family came to the National Centre — my mum, dad, brother, aunt and I. Everyone supported me, they were worried for me. I’m very grateful that we were selected. I wish everyone good luck, to achieve great goals and win first places. Bring glory to your country and your city!" — said Liana Arkadyeva, a 5th grade student of the Russian-Tajik Secondary School named after A. P. Chekhov and a winner of the competition.

In total, 7,407 works from 89 regions of Russia and 54 countries around the world were selected for participation in the contest. The expert board and the jury included 125 experts.

Yegor Shcherbinin from Kyrgyzstan made a video dedicated to Vladimir Lenin for the competition.

"I came to the National Centre RUSSIA for the award ceremony as a winner. I felt great. Before the contest, I thought this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I definitely had to take part. I spent a long time preparing!" — the schoolboy shared.

Fatima Salvia from Ecuador prepared a post for the competition in which she described fairy-tale characters. The university student studies in Belgorod and says that Russia has become her second home.

"I’m from Ecuador, I’m 22, I live and study in Belgorod. I won the competition with a post where I wrote about characters from Ecuador. I thought it would be interesting for you. And it was interesting for me to learn more about them too. My favourite character is similar to your Baba Yaga. He can also connect two worlds — Space and Earth. Of course, I’m proud of myself for being able to represent my country. I was a bit nervous during the award ceremony. I love Russia, this country gave me a second home," Fatima Salvia emphasised.

The student also shared her impressions of the National Centre RUSSIA.

"The National Centre RUSSIA is futuristic, beautiful and convenient. And I was surprised to see that our president Vladimir Putin had attended the expositions here," the girl noted.

After the award ceremony, the laureates and guests took part in an interactive programme — a 90-minute exposition-tour "Journey Across Russia," where they had a unique opportunity to travel from Vladivostok to Kaliningrad and from Murmansk to Derbent without leaving Moscow. Spanning over 3,000 square metres, the exposition features hundreds of interactive exhibits showcasing the achievements, culture, science, and nature of all Russian federal districts.

The competition is organised by the ANO "Innovation Centre for the Development and Education of Children and Youth" with the support of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rossotrudnichestvo, the Russian Centre for Civic and Patriotic Education of Youth, the National Centre RUSSIA, the Movement of the First, Yunarmiya, Rosdetcentre, the Russian World Foundation, the National Parent Association, and Moscow Pedagogical State University. The competition is held as part of the programme approved by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.