The National Centre RUSSIA shared its experience at VK’s "Forum in a Big City"

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Travel can change a professional trajectory, help people reconnect with themselves and expand the boundaries of how they perceive their own lives. This was discussed at VK's "Forum in a Big City" by Olga Pilyavskaya-Binda, Adviser to the Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA. The event, dedicated to International Women's Day, brought together well-known speakers, bloggers and authors of VK communities. Experts discussed careers, personal development and inspiration in the rhythm of a major city. The National Centre RUSSIA presented its practices in the field of travel and event tourism.

Participants in the discussion on travel and tourism spoke about how trips can help people cope with emotional burnout and even become a turning point in life.

"The first branch opened in Vladivostok. The distance we travelled, the scale of this project and the fact that the President opened our branch changed our lives and our perception of ourselves in the profession," said Olga Pilyavskaya-Binda.

A separate part of the discussion focused on event formats and how they help people find support in a big city. Olga Pilyavskaya-Binda emphasised the role of the National Centre RUSSIA as a space for journeys across the country and journeys to oneself. She also spoke about how the space and its branches respond to different expectations of visitors — from the need for quiet to the desire to be part of large-scale events.

"Our space is unique because everyone can find something of their own here. Some people come to large forums and festivals, while others look for quieter formats to pause and recharge. Branches in Vladivostok, Khanty-Mansiysk and Krasnoyarsk have become new points of attraction: for some they are centres of urban events, while for others they are places for solitude and inner reflection. This is the essence of our approach — to give each person the opportunity to make their own journey: to themselves, to others and to Russia," noted Olga Pilyavskaya-Binda.

Olga Pilyavskaya-Binda also invited everyone to visit the exposition "Geography Lessons", which will open at the National Centre RUSSIA in April. Information about the centre’s projects and events can be found on the website russia.ru.

VK's "Forum in a Big City" is a platform for sharing experience and inspiring stories, where experts, bloggers and community authors discuss careers, projects and life in the rhythm of the modern metropolis.