Results of the contest "History of Russia Through My Eyes" summarised at the National Centre RUSSIA
The award ceremony for the winners of the All-Russian contest "History of Russia Through My Eyes" was held on 21 March at the National Centre RUSSIA. The event brought together talented young people and their mentors from across the country. More than 4,000 applications were submitted from 84 regions of Russia and six foreign countries. The ceremony was attended by public and civic figures, heads of leading Russian universities, representatives of organisations involved in patriotic education of young people, as well as the media and business communities. A total of 45 participants from 27 regions became winners and prize-winners of the project.
The participants demonstrated a thorough research approach. They selected a term from a history textbook that was unclear or simply interesting, studied its meaning in detail using dictionaries, and created a unique narrative in which they appeared as real witnesses to historical events of the past.
"Russian history is incredibly rich, multi-layered and instructive. It is the cornerstone of our identity. Studying the history of Russia makes it possible to learn how to build cause-and-effect relationships independently, to assess what is happening today before our eyes with both interest and realism, and to look confidently to the future," read Denis Shpolyansky, Adviser to the Presidential Directorate for State Policy in the Humanitarian Sphere, conveying a message from Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Russian Military Historical Society, and First Secretary of the Union of Writers of Russia, Vladimir Medinsky.
Participants also received a greeting from Deputy Chair of the Federation Council, Inna Svyatenko, who emphasised the importance of the project for the country.
"The contest has become a vivid reminder that the history of Russia is our shared foundation, a precious legacy carefully passed down from generation to generation. Fostering in the younger generation an interest in history, a sense of patriotism, and a readiness to act for the benefit of Russia is one of the most important tasks we face," the senator said.
Yekaterina Averkieva, President of ANO "Innovative Centre for the Development and Education of Children and Youth", noted that the main goal of the project "History of Russia Through My Eyes" is to make history clear, engaging and compelling, so that people want to study and understand it.
"In difficult periods, historical events and their understanding become an inner support, a core and a guiding light for both individuals and the state. Our task is to spark interest in history and make it clear and engaging. We want the works in which children explain complex historical terms and events in simple language to live on and to help school students understand the history of our great country in accessible words, and for teachers to use these explanations in history lessons. Those who know history hold the keys to the future!" said Yekaterina Averkieva.
For the first time in the projects of the Innovative Centre, a special prize "Best Region of the Contest 'History of Russia Through My Eyes'" was introduced. The award was given to the Nizhny Novgorod region, whose residents submitted the highest number of entries — 705.
Winners of the special nomination "Fyodor Ushakov Through My Eyes" were awarded by Dmitry Shlopak, Head of the Initiative Group for the construction of the Church of Saint Righteous Warrior Fyodor Ushakov in Moscow, members of the Admirals’ Club Vice-Admirals Nikolai Mikheyev and Viktor Nechayev, as well as First Rank Captains Alexander Vakarin and Nikolai Ivanov.
Awards in the special nomination "My Region — My History" from the All-Russian project "Keepers of History", organised by the Yunarmiya Military Patriotic Movement and the Movement of the First, were presented by Deputy Chief of the Main Staff of the Yunarmiya, Yekaterina Chizhikova.
"When every child and parent engages with history, breaks down concepts, terms and phenomena into their components, they begin to truly understand what it is. And then they will never betray their history, because they clearly understand what part of history and what country participants in the special military operation are defending. I would like to wish everyone: never stop, love your history and preserve it," Yekaterina Chizhikova addressed the participants.
The contest "History of Russia Through My Eyes" is organised by ANO "Innovative Centre for the Development and Education of Children and Youth" with the support of the Presidential Grants Foundation, the National Centre RUSSIA, the Ministry of Education of Russia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Russian Military Historical Society, Rossotrudnichestvo, Rosmolodezh, Rospatriotcentre, Rosdetcentre, the Russian society Znanie, the Movement of the First, the Yunarmiya, the National Centre for Historical Memory under the President of the Russian Federation, and other partners.
Event photobank
The chefs demonstrated that the richness of Lenten cuisine is not a compromise, but an opportunity to reveal the character of a region through flavour and respect for ingredients.
