Young people from around the world discover folk crafts at the National Centre RUSSIA stand at IFY-2026
The creative workshops at the National Centre RUSSIA have become one of the liveliest and most popular parts of the International Festival of Youth — 2026 programme. At the stand, guests from different countries can discover the diversity of Russia's folk arts and crafts, try their hand as artisans, meet the keepers of craft traditions and create unique items themselves.
IFY-2026 participants are discovering the art of shaping Orenburg down shawls, decorating wooden figurines using techniques practised by Ural artisans and learning Ordynskoye decorative patterns. During the workshops, guests can decorate Dymkovo toys, try pine-root weaving in the Kirov tradition and create personalised engravings on amber products from the Kaliningrad Region.
Interest in traditional crafts remains strong among younger generations, noted Yevgenia Sarycheva, an artisan from the Orenburg Region who has been shaping down shawls for more than five years. According to her, today it is important not only to preserve tradition, but also to find contemporary forms for it.
"Just a couple of years ago, we transformed our approach and adapted the traditional product to a modern format. We added bright colours and new products — now it is no longer just the traditional shawl. We introduced kerchiefs, not only down ones but silk ones too, as well as accessories and knitwear. I can say with great confidence that young people today come to our spaces to connect with tradition. We are very pleased about this and hope to continue developing in this area," said Yevgenia Sarycheva.
The workshop programme also introduces festival guests to other aspects of the country's cultural legacy: bone carving, gold embroidery, gingerbread decoration, the making of Chechen istang and Pomor kozuli. A separate session is dedicated to the nevalyashka (roly-poly toy), a symbol of the National Centre RUSSIA stand. Participants can create their own pattern and paint the familiar childhood toy, turning it into a personal festival souvenir.
"I am happy to have the opportunity to take part in the International Festival of Youth and discover the nevalyashka. I wish everyone happiness and good fortune in the little moments of everyday life," said Tobias Hildbran from Switzerland.
Each workshop is an opportunity not merely to see a finished item, but to understand how much attention, patience and knowledge of tradition an artisan's work requires. By working with materials, patterns and techniques, participants discover Russian culture as something living, contemporary and open to dialogue.
The creative workshops are held at the National Centre RUSSIA stand in the very centre of the "Cultural Code" thematic space. The Department Store RUSSIA is also located here, featuring products from Russian manufacturers and folk arts and crafts, while the central art installation is "Nevalyashki", comprising 250 figures.
The International Festival of Youth — 2026 is being held in Yekaterinburg from 11 to 17 September. The National Centre RUSSIA stand will operate from 13 to 16 September in the "Cultural Code" thematic space, bringing together products from Russian manufacturers, traditional crafts, interactive projects and venues for conversations about the future.
The survey will give active young people an opportunity to contribute to shaping the global future.
A special series of nevalyashkas (roly-poly toys) in the form of Cheburashka was created specially for the International Festival of Youth — 2026 in Yekaterinburg.
Guests are already discovering Russian brands, trying their hand at making items themselves and becoming part of the large-scale "Nevalyashki" installation.
