Shared history, heroes and the country’s future: Znanie.Unity marathon held at the National Centre RUSSIA

The shared memory of Victory, achievements in Russian science, cultural diversity and service to the Motherland were the main themes of the Znanie.Unity educational marathon, held on 6 November at the National Centre RUSSIA. Government officials, public figures, Heroes of Russia, scientists and cultural representatives met young people, veterans of the special military operation and their families, educators and participants in patriotic projects.

The first open dialogue, "Lessons of History in Action: Unity Tested by Time", explored the country's historical experience. The Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Alexei Shevtsov, emphasised that preserving accounts of the Great Patriotic War is particularly important today. As the generation who experienced those events first-hand passes away, modern formats must be used to pass the memory of their heroism on to future generations.  

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

"Our task is to preserve a truthful record of the heroism of the peoples of the Soviet Union. We use various formats to do this: books, podcasts and documentaries. It is important both to collect historical materials and to make them accessible to younger generations. Protecting historical memory and preserving history are our national priorities," noted Alexei Shevtsov.

The Director General of the Russian society Znanie, Maxim Dreval, continued the discussion of continuity between generations. He highlighted how unity had helped the country overcome severe trials over the centuries and provided the foundation for major achievements — from Victory in the Great Patriotic War to the nuclear programme and the exploration of space and the Arctic.

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

"Today, responsibility for preserving this unity rests with the younger generation. Each generation must be better than the one before it — that is how progress works. You must become even more united, move forward, explore new frontiers and preserve our country," said Maxim Dreval.

He also presented the Russian society Znanie's educational work within the project "The Republics for the Front". A series of 11 podcasts on the Soviet republics' contribution to the shared Victory was launched on 6 November, with four episodes released on the day of the marathon. Each podcast will be available in two languages — Russian and the national language of the respective republic. The project aims to engage young people with the history of the Great Patriotic War and show how closely connected the lives of the peoples who defended the country together are. A presentation of the book "We Are Russia. Origins and Horizons of Unity Among the Peoples of Russia" complemented the discussion of historical memory.  

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The Governor of the Kursk Region, Alexander Khinshtein, discussed how unity is expressed through everyday actions and mutual support. Drawing on the experiences of the region's residents, he showed how people of different ages and professions support one another in the face of adversity.

"I am inspired, amazed and filled with the deepest respect by the way people of all ages and professions unite in the face of a common enemy, come to one another's aid, help and show sincere compassion. Perhaps this is what defines the character of the people of Kursk," the Governor emphasised.  

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The open dialogue "Unity of Peoples as a Principle of a Multipolar World: Russia's Experience and Its Significance for International Relations" explored the international significance of Russia's experience. The Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, noted that the richness of Russian culture is inseparable from the values underpinning life in society.

"Russia certainly has a rich culture. But I want to say that what matters most is that Russia has a big heart and a great soul. That is what matters above all; everything else stems from it. Russia would not have such a culture if it were not rooted in true values. That, I believe, is our country's main secret," said the Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Information and Press Department, Maria Zakharova.  

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

She cited Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War as one of the most important examples of peoples coming together. She said the memory of their shared heroism must be preserved without divisions along ethnic lines. This principle also underpins Russian diplomats' work to protect military memorials abroad.

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The international dialogue also included the Secretary General of the International Russophile Movement, Ivan Kostić; American journalist and geopolitical expert John Varoli; international affairs analyst and ambassador for the Russian society Znanie in Argentina, Cristian Lamesa; and the Head of RT's Documentary Broadcasting Directorate, Yekaterina Yakovleva.  

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

Personal experiences of serving the country were the central theme of the meeting "Unity Through Service: Heroic Deeds of the Motherland's Heroes". Participants included the Artistic Director of the State Symphony Orchestra "New Russia" and Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation, Yuri Bashmet. Other participants in the marathon's events included the Rector of the Russian State University for the Humanities, Andrei Loginov; the Scientific Director of the Russian Military Historical Society, Mikhail Myagkov; the Head of the Donetsk People's Republic, Denis Pushilin; the Governor of the Nenets Autonomous Area, Irina Gekht; and the Governor of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area, Dmitry Artyukhov.  

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

Great Patriotic War veterans Nikolai Imchuk and Vladimir Smurago, Heroes of Russia Damir Yusupov, Sergei Ryazansky and Vladimir Legoshin, and Mother Heroine Natalia Avtayeva shared their experiences with the audience. Scientific topics were addressed by Alexei Fedorov, Head of the "Quantum Information Technologies" research group at the Russian Quantum Centre and Director of the Institute of Physics and Quantum Engineering at NUST MISIS, and Yevgeny Adamov, Head of the "Breakthrough" project and the N. A. Dollezhal Research and Development Institute of Power Engineering.  

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The marathon was held as part of International Week "Peoples of Russia", marking National Unity Day. It was organised by the Russian society Znanie with support from the Security Council Staff of the Russian Federation.  

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

International Week "Peoples of Russia" is held annually in accordance with Presidential Executive Order No. 382 of 1 June 2026, which declared 2026 the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. Its central theme is "Solidarity Among States Through the Unity of Peoples and Traditional Values". The events of International Week are coordinated by the Security Council Staff of the Russian Federation. The Roscongress Foundation is the operator.