Young correspondents try themselves as media professionals at the "Geography Lessons" exposition

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On 4 April, the All-Russian Media Forum YUNKOR brought together YUNARMIYA members from 30 regions of the country at the National Centre RUSSIA. As part of the programme, participants visited the new "Geography Lessons" exposition — not as ordinary visitors, but as aspiring media professionals. Instead of a standard guided tour, they were given a practical assignment with cameras and microphones.

The participants divided into small groups, each receiving a specific task. Some were asked to create a video invitation to the exposition — not formal and rigid, but engaging enough to inspire viewers to visit the National Centre RUSSIA. Others selected one of the eight halls and attempted to conduct a "virtual tour". A third group focused on a specific exhibit or geographical feature, researching additional facts to present its story in an engaging way.

One team chose the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The participants used materials from the exposition about the space industry and supplemented them with additional facts — for example, that Vostochny is the newest Russian cosmodrome, designed to support a wide range of launch vehicles and to ensure the country’s independent access to space. On the spot, they discussed how to turn this information into a compelling story rather than a dry summary.

The groups began assigning roles, sharing ideas and debating angles and scripts. Maps, globes, models, historical documents and multimedia installations became not just a backdrop, but a source of inspiration for original reports by the young correspondents.

Approaches to the same task varied. Some structured their video invitation as a classic report — with an introduction, sound bites, cutaways and a clear narrative. Others decided to address their peers in a more familiar format — short vertical videos.

"We use this video to attract YUNARMIYA members and young people to visit the National Centre RUSSIA. We speak their language — short vertical videos. This is a format that resonates with young audiences. The video will be concise, with dynamic editing," said forum participant Maria Manchenko.

Each group also connected with a particular hall: some focused on space, others on expeditions and the first circumnavigation journeys, and others on the hall dedicated to Russia’s roads and the exploration of its vast territory. The young correspondents noted that working in a real exposition is easier than in an abstract setting: the subject surrounds you — you only need to look closely and take the first step.

The session at the "Geography Lessons" exposition became part of the practical module of the YUNKOR forum. Participants not only explored the content of the project, but also tried to present it using the language of modern media — from reports to reels. In this way, geography — on maps and in the halls of the National Centre RUSSIA — was transformed into material for the first professional media projects of the young correspondents.