9 days left: apply now for the National Centre RUSSIA Young Tour Guide School

Applications for the new season of the National Centre RUSSIA's original project, the Young Tour Guide School of Russia, close on 20 September. Airat Bagautdinov, Chairman of the Interregional Union of Tour Guides and Head of the educational company "Moscow Through an Engineer's Eyes", spoke about the secrets of success and the important educational mission of people who have chosen guiding as their profession.

The expert visited the National Centre RUSSIA on 9 September, where he moderated the lecture "Architecture on Display: How Exposition Spaces Are Designed Today" — the first event in the National Centre RUSSIA's original series "Symbols of Time: World Expositions". According to Airat Bagautdinov, the main task — and at the same time the secret of success — for any tour guide is not to overwhelm listeners with information, but to inspire them to explore the world.

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

"I believe that every tour guide should strive to be a bit of a scholar and base their tours on a range of research. So my first recommendation to the young tour guides of the National Centre RUSSIA is to rely on reliable sources and academic literature and strive to become genuinely the best in their subject. The second key condition, in my view, is not to try to give visitors exhaustive information, because that is simply impossible, but to stimulate their curiosity and light a spark in their eyes. I think our work is primarily about encouraging people to continue discovering new things on their own in the area the guide has spoken about. Or more broadly, to want to learn more about the wonderful world we live in," said Airat Bagautdinov.

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

The Young Tour Guide School of Russia is an original educational project of the National Centre RUSSIA that gives schoolchildren an opportunity to try their hand as guides, learn how to work with an audience and develop their own style. Young people aged 12 to 17 are invited to take part — anyone interested in the country's history, geography, culture and modern achievements who wants to broaden their horizons and share their knowledge with others. During the course, students will learn how to structure their speech effectively, use intonation to emphasise key points and maintain contact with an audience. They will also learn a thoughtful approach to working with information, how to write texts effectively, fact-check information and use AI productively without losing their own authorial voice. Participants will gain not only theoretical knowledge but also, in the future, an opportunity to lead tours of the National Centre RUSSIA expositions.

Applications for the new season of the Young Tour Guide School of Russia can be submitted until 20 September on the project website. Don't miss the opportunity to join a team of young people who want to tell inspiring, accurate and engaging stories about the Motherland!