The National Centre RUSSIA inspires love of knowledge: Natalia Virtuozova speaks at SPIEF 2026

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Gaining knowledge, falling in love with it, and then returning to it again and again through emotion. This was discussed on 3 June by Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, Natalia Virtuozova. Natalia Virtuozova spoke at the VEB.RF session "Prosvet: Workshops" on the topic "A Tour as a Lesson. The Educational Effect of Impressions". Natalia Virtuozova also discussed how exposition activities become a tool of enlightenment, help convey truthful information and foster love for the Motherland. The event was held as part of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum 2026.

Natalia Virtuozova presented the unique experience of the National Centre RUSSIA in organising tour programmes for children and young people, aimed at broadening their horizons and motivating them to gain knowledge.

"The National Centre RUSSIA was created on the instruction of our President, and one of its key tasks is enlightenment: to tell people about a great country, its achievements, people, traditions and values. During our work, we have been able to understand how to capture the attention of a wide range of guests. Emotion is always at the heart of this. That is why the atmosphere we have managed to create is so important. Here, knowledge becomes a personal discovery. We do not say 'gain knowledge' — we say 'fall in love with knowledge'. Because when a person is truly interested, when they are inspired by what they see and hear, they want to learn more themselves, discover new things and move forward," Natalia Virtuozova noted.

The Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, Natalia Virtuozova, recalled the words of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, that the diversity of Russia’s peoples inspires sincere admiration and makes us even stronger through unity.

The VEB.RF session at SPIEF 2026 was dedicated to finding new approaches to educational practices and enlightenment amid rapid technological change. Participants discussed what forms the basis of new knowledge, how to identify educational trends for future generations and what role modern technologies play in this process.

The St Petersburg International Economic Forum is being held from 3 to 6 June 2026. The National Centre RUSSIA has presented a unique art object in the form of a nevalyashka (a roly-poly toy), which symbolises movement forward, respect for traditions and creative renewal. It is a joint project with the Government of the Tambov Region and the manufacturer of Kotovsk nevalyashkas. In addition, the venue will sign agreements with regions and organisations as part of the forum.