Friends, memories and new plans: "Bolshaya Peremena" alumni meet at the National Centre RUSSIA

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To meet friends, remember the contest challenges and decide together what the future of the alumni community should look like — these were the goals that brought together participants from the first six seasons of "Bolshaya Peremena" ("Big Change") on 4 October at the Space of Opportunities at the National Centre RUSSIA. The third annual meeting brought together 100 people. The programme included discussions of joint initiatives, a book exchange and creative performances.

The meeting was organised by the alumni themselves with the support of the team behind the All-Russian "Bolshaya Peremena" contest of the Movement of the First. Its central image was the book of life, while the slogan was a line from the contest anthem: "Add bright pages to the book of life". For the participants, these pages are associated with trips, first victories and joint projects, as well as with remarkable and interesting like-minded people whose friendships have continued for years.

The programme included an interactive introduction, a quiz about the history of the contest and the strategic session "The Future of the Alumni Community". Its outcome is expected to be an updated concept for the community's work in 2027–2028. Participants will discuss how to develop the community and help one another bring new ideas to life. The theme of the book of life will continue with a book exchange: alumni will give one another works that inspired them, leaving short messages on the pages.

Rosalina Sitnikova, a prize-winner of the fourth season of "Bolshaya Peremena", said that events like this always bring the joy of meeting friends and making new acquaintances, as well as the chance to experience the atmosphere of the contest once again. She also noted that taking part in the project helped her better understand her own abilities.

"I learned how to communicate with very different people, use my strengths and manage my resources properly. I became a leader, even though I had never imagined I was capable of that," Rosalina Sitnikova shared.

For two-time contest winner Anastasia Tataurova, "Bolshaya Peremena" also became an important step towards choosing her future profession. Through the community, she met a coach who helped her prepare for academic olympiads, began training and was able to enrol at her dream university.

"First and foremost, today I am looking forward to seeing my incredible friends and meeting other amazing people, because the most important thing 'Bolshaya Peremena' gives you is the most wonderful people. It is also great that here we can not only remember the past, but also discuss our future projects," Anastasia Tataurova said.

Shared memories became part of an art installation called "BP": participants added photographs connected with the contest. Rosalina and Anastasia chose photos with friends taken during contest stages and at the awards ceremony. The completed collection will be presented to the "Bolshaya Peremena" team as a gift from the alumni.

"Bolshaya Peremena" is a flagship project of the Movement of the First. Participation in its community does not end when the contest challenges are over: alumni become mentors and co-organisers of events, launch their own projects and volunteer initiatives. The annual meeting helps them maintain these connections and find like-minded people for new good causes.