Uniting efforts for the future: the All-Russian Patriotic Forum concludes at the National Centre RUSSIA
On the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted the Patriot prize award, which aims to identify best practices and recognise the merits of citizens and organisations for their significant contribution to the civic and patriotic education of citizens of the Russian Federation and compatriots living abroad. The forum ran from 7 to 9 December. Over 4,000 attendees took part in it during this time.
Winners in the "Best Patriotic Project" category were awarded by Sergei Novikov, Chief of the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects. He reminded the audience that 9 December is Heroes of the Fatherland Day in Russia.
"First of all, I want to congratulate all Heroes of the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation who are present here. I would like to thank each of you for your feats, the ones for which you were awarded the highest military title and the Gold Star medal of distinction. Thank you. We specifically hold the Patriot Prize award ceremony on Heroes of the Fatherland Day because it is extremely important for the upbringing of future generations. The upbringing is only possible through examples. Of course, the examples set by our heroes serve as a guiding behavioural model for the boys and girls growing up in our country, on whom the future of our country depends. And the project winning in this category also serves as a behavioural model. It involved, among others, the youngest participants of the Movement of the First. And I think that for them, this is an impression and an experience for a lifetime," said Sergei Novikov.
Winners in the "Best International Project" category received their awards from Maria Zakharova, Director of the Department of Information and Press and spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. She also congratulated Russian citizens on Heroes of the Fatherland Day.
"The forum has a truly patriotic character. They say Russia has many resources and minerals: there are fields, forests, meadows, seas, rivers, and everything imaginable. But the most important resource is people. People who preserved all this, people who fought for it, people who transformed the earth's riches into assets for both our country and the entire planet. These people, each specific person with their own unique, complex, difficult, and happy life, and it is people who form a nation. I congratulate you all and thank you for your immense work," said Maria Zakharova.
Anastasia Zvyagina, Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, presented the award to the winner in the "Best Informational Media Project" category – the documentary film "Rodina/Mat" (Motherland/Mother). The film tells a story of Yekaterina, a resident of Donetsk and a dog handler for a DPR sapper group, who single-handedly raises two children, including an infant she found with her dog in a destroyed house. It premiered on 15 October 2025 in Kurgan at the "RT.Dok: The Time of Our Heroes" festival to a sold-out audience.
"I watched the documentary 'Rodina/Mat', and it is literally watched in one breath. It is truly a very powerful film that moves one to tears. I recommend everyone to watch this film because it not only pleases the eye but also touches the heart. This is a film about a real hero – a very kind woman with a generous soul. At the same time, she is a defender of the Fatherland. She is a person of great inner strength and dignity. 'Rodina/Mat' is one of those cases where a film touches everyone <...> The best youth in the world lives in our country, and the All-Russian Patriotic Forum, which lasted for three days, is proof of that. You have proven it with your participation, energy, attitude, and your spirit. Thank you very much," said Anastasia Zvyagina.
Her opinion was echoed by Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. She awarded the winners in the "Best Student Patriotic Project" category.
"Each and every one of you here in this hall today is our wonderful youth. As Anastasia Viktorovna has already noted, this is the best youth in the world, and for that, I want to bow low to each of you. May there be more and more people like you, and on our part, we will create every opportunity for each of our students to become a truly caring, socially responsible individual and a professional emerging from the walls of our educational institutions. May we succeed in everything, for together we will certainly manage everything," stated Olga Petrova.
The winners in the following categories were also announced during the Prize award ceremony: "Special Nomination of the All-Russian Cossack Society", "Best Project for Preserving Historical Memory", "Victory 80", "Bringing Victory Closer" and "Strong in Spirit", "Active Civic Position and Contribution to the Patriotic Upbringing of the Younger Generation", "Best Regional Team of the Year", and others.
The All-Russian Patriotic Forum is a large-scale platform created by the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Rospatriotcentre" of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) to consolidate the entire patriotic community of Russia. It is a space for dialogue among public leaders, educators, participants of the Special Military Operation, specialists, military instructors, mentors, and active youth – all those who, through their daily work and initiatives, make an active contribution to the development and strengthening of our Motherland's unity. The event was held at the National Centre RUSSIA from 7 to 9 December. The forum brought together over 4,000 attendees.
Preparations for the opening of the "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition — the main New Year's event at the National Centre RUSSIA, are being finalised.
Representatives from various fields, interested in fostering an active and responsible civic position, met at the National Centre RUSSIA.
Valery Fedorov's address took place as part of the Znaniye.Heroes programme at the National Centre RUSSIA.
