The National Centre RUSSIA in faces: volunteer Ivan Vasin
Ivan Vasin, a volunteer at the National Centre RUSSIA, has been engaged in volunteer work for two years. He has accumulated over 1,600 hours of service. Ivan is a 10th-grade student, and his journey as a volunteer began with the International RUSSIA EXPO, where he served as a team leader for volunteers.
"Volunteering has become an integral part of my life. It all started with a workshop on sewing beds for shelter cats. That was the first time I realized that even small acts of help can change the world around us. One of the key milestones for me was the International RUSSIA EXPO. As its run was coming to an end, I felt sad. I was waiting for the volunteer recruitment for the National Centre RUSSIA like a holiday," shared Ivan Vasin.
He applied to the National Centre RUSSIA and continues to do what he loves. For Ivan, the most important thing is to feel like part of a major event and to see how people become inspired by new ideas and discoveries.
"I welcome guests with a smile and the words 'Hello! We are happy to see you at the National Centre RUSSIA!' I help them navigate the program, accompany them during workshops, and suggest the best angles for photos. And at the end of the day, I warmly send visitors off with 'Have a great evening! We look forward to seeing you again!' For me, these are not just duties — this is an opportunity to be a guide to a world of knowledge and emotions for everyone who comes to our centre," says Ivan Vasin.
The volunteer believes that the most important qualities in this role are the desire to help and the ability to quickly solve unexpected situations — whether it's calming a lost guest or finding an answer to an unexpected question.
"Kindness and the ability to listen are essential here. The uniqueness of volunteering is that it gives you the chance to be part of something greater. You are not just a person — you are a bridge between people and events that can change their perspective on the world. This is especially true at the National Centre RUSSIA: every visitor leaves with new knowledge, and I leave with the confidence that I have contributed a part of myself to a common cause," emphasizes Ivan Vasin.
He is convinced that even a simple smile or timely guidance can be a source of support for guests. This way, visitors stop being just "guests," and the volunteer is no longer just a "person in uniform." The most memorable event for Ivan at the National Centre RUSSIA was the New Year's ballet "The Nutcracker."
"The centre turned into a winter fairy tale: Tchaikovsky's music filled the halls, and performers in costumes danced in front of the concert hall. One story especially touched me. An elderly couple had traveled from the Moscow region to see a ballet for the first time in their lives. They were worried about getting lost, so I guided them to the hall, explained how the performance was structured, and even suggested the best spots for photos. After the show, they approached me with tears in their eyes: 'Thank you for making this day special for us,'" shares the volunteer.
Ivan plans to deepen his knowledge of Russian history and culture and share it with visitors at the National Centre RUSSIA. He also aims to improve his communication skills and learn how to connect with all kinds of people. These skills are taught at the volunteer centre of the National Centre RUSSIA, which is open to everyone interested.
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