Little guides with a big mission: a school where love and pride for the country are cultivated

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Just slightly over a year ago, the "Young Tour Guides School of Russia" was established at the National Centre RUSSIA. During this time, the project, born at the International RUSSIA EXPO at VDNH, has grown into a large and close-knit community, uniting over a hundred children and professional mentors from across the country. It has developed its own methodology, its own signature style, and, most importantly, gathered in its personal archive dozens of inspiring stories of growth and creative potential of its young students. On the eve of International Tourist Guide Day, celebrated on 21 February, we present the story of the school through the eyes of its mentors and head. 

From an idea to a project of national importance 

The story of the "Young Tour Guides School of Russia" project began with a sincere desire to give a voice to the younger generation. Project Head Yevgenia Sirota recalls how the idea itself was born: "While working at the International RUSSIA EXPO, the guides would spend almost all their time on the site, and their children used to be with them. They watched, listened, asked questions. Once, the project head, Anastasia Viktorovna Zvyagina, met some children at the exposition and jokingly asked: 'By now, you probably know the exposition better than your parents?' The children confidently replied: 'Yes!' That's when the idea emerged to give them the chance to try themselves as guides — to talk about the country in their own language, through their own perception. Thus, the concept of the 'Young Tour Guides School of Russia' project was born, and the first mentors for the young guides were their parents and fellow guides."

Already at the RUSSIA EXPO, the young guides achieved a lot: they presented themed routes to visitors to the exposition, and even conducted tours for Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko. This was the first, still "family" cohort, which consisted of children of employees only. But the project proved so popular that when the RUSSIA EXPO ended, almost all participants continued in the project at the National Centre RUSSIA.

"We realised that we couldn't just end a project that had such a resonance. Because when children talk about the country through their own eyes, their own perception, it's invaluable. So we invited those who were engaged in work at the RUSSIA EXPO, took a second selection, and in September 2025, a third intake was announced. The school reached exactly one hundred children studying. Today it's a fully-fledged community with its own methodology, its own traditions, and its own 'rising stars'," continued Yevgenia Sirota.

"We don't force them to be alike" 

The age range of students at the school has gradually changed. While the first two cohorts even accepted seven-year-olds, the training is now designed for children from 12 to 17 years of age. But there are also those who started very young and continue. For example, Masha Stepanova first welcomed visitors at the age of seven. Now she is ten, and still among the best.

The training is structured unconventionally. In the middle of the week, the children watch video lectures recorded by mentors together with graduates, and on Sundays they attend in-person sessions. Here, training both in the theory and practice is provided on the basis of the actual expositions of the National Centre RUSSIA — from the "Journey Across Russia" to the "Book of Fairy Tales". The approach's uniqueness lies in not forcing children to memorise texts — instead, they are helped to find their own voice.

"I like the university approach — when you give a lot but don't constantly test, and the children themselves feel their responsibility. They mature right before your eyes. Another very important detail of our educational process is that it's fun. The children say it's much more interesting here than at school because the material is presented in an easy, understandable, and visual way. Above that, we don't force them to be alike. Everyone has their own nature and individuality, and we just help to 'develop' it," admits Mikhail Sharayev, lead guide at the National Centre RUSSIA, and mentor of the young guides.

Another school teacher, lead guide at the National Centre RUSSIA Irina Alekseyeva, added: "We try to make every child feel at home here. For us, they are all like our own children. We see them grow. For instance, a girl comes to join the school. At first, she is very nervous, and can't utter a word, and gets upset to the point of tears. And after a couple of months, that same girl confidently conducts a tour. And it's not a miracle — it's effort, patience, and belief in everyone. Here, at our school, they feel at home; and at our expositions they feel like good hosts, offering their guests only the very best."

A fresh take on old stories 

Children at the Young Tour Guides School of Russia don't just learn texts. They learn to internalise information, add their personal touch, and be sincere. This is what delights and inspires a wide range of listeners — from parents to top state officials.

"When distributing material for tours among the children, we try to connect it with places they have visited. For example, when cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin visited us, each child stood at their own stand and talked about what they know and love. And what they say sounds completely different. When an adult says: 'The icebreaker fleet is our pride', it's a fact. But when a child says: 'It was the world's only icebreaker fleet, and it was a dream for everyone, but for us, it's reality', people hear it differently. Like a breath of fresh air," explains Yevgenia Sirota.

A special achievement of the school's students was an original tour of the "Journey Across Russia" exposition, conducted for President Vladimir Putin. The children were carefully prepared for this responsible mission, but the main task was not just to convey information, but also to show how the Head of State's decisions impact the lives of ordinary Russian families.

"For example, Ilya Podvigin from the Volga Federal District told Vladimir Putin about the Meteor hydrofoil he travelled on along the Volga, and, knowing about the President's love for fishing, added: 'Last year I caught a fish this big, and this year I want to catch a bigger one. We have a secret family ukha (fish soup) recipe, but I won't tell you — just come, and I'll treat you to it.' And Lev Tishchenko, addressing First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office, Sergei Kiriyenko, during another tour, said: 'Dear men, please come over and light the stove. You are real men, so only you can do this.' And it worked — the guests smiled and willingly joined in," recalls Irina Alekseyeva.

Beyond the capital 

The project has spread far beyond Moscow. Today, the Young Tour Guides School project is opening branches in different regions of Russia. The first cohort in Vladivostok has already finished training, and the second will start very soon. A group has just been formed in Khanty-Mansiysk. The Young Tour Guide School of Russia in Moscow shares video lectures with colleagues in Yugra, Krasnoyarsk, and Vladivostok. There, students watch lectures recorded by Moscow mentors and add their own regional touches.

There are also truly remarkable stories: one boy travelled every week to attend school classes in Moscow from... the Leningrad region. Nine hours one way, nine hours back. This young guide was accompanied to Moscow by his caring grandmother. Unfortunately, due to illness, he had to interrupt his training, but the very fact of such motivation speaks volumes.

 

We want to see them return 

Today, 100 children study at the school. They are divided into groups by age and experience. The older ones already help the younger ones, trying their hand at mentoring. Here, everyone gets a chance to shine. The children participate in recording video lectures, appear on the radio, and conduct tours. On the Day of Family, Love, and Fidelity, they gave their parents daisies and thanked them for bringing them to the National Centre RUSSIA. Some have already firmly decided to link their lives with the guiding profession; others are simply in love with tourism and excursions for now, and, perhaps, will carry this love throughout their lives.

"A direct indicator of success to us, the mentors, is when the children themselves ask: 'Can we come again? Can we conduct tours? Can I work in pair with you?' We have a state task — to overcome a shortage of personnel in tourism. And we are filling this need. But when we see our graduates, who turn 18, returning to us as colleagues — that will probably be the greatest happiness," said Mikhail Sharayev.

Meanwhile, the children continue to come to the National Centre RUSSIA to meet again with friends, mentors, and their beloved work. When asked if they ever get tired, one of the young guides replied: "But these aren't just lessons. It's happiness." 

International Tourist Guide Day, celebrated on 21 February, is for those who know how to captivate and inspire with their stories, and convey to others a sense of pride in the country in which they live. At the Young Guides School of Russia, such people are growing up right now, and this is one of the main gifts for the professional holiday.