Descendants of prominent leaders leave their messages on nevalyashka dolls at the National Centre RUSSIA
During the Russia–Africa Media Forum and the operation of the joint International Press Centre for the Third Russia–Africa Summit and the Eighth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), visitors to the National Centre RUSSIA continued a tradition that began at the International Festival of Youth – 2026 in Yekaterinburg. They added their signatures, wishes, dreams and words of encouragement to colourful nevalyashki (roly-poly dolls), making them part of a collective art installation comprising dozens of similar toys.
Representatives of African media and descendants of prominent leaders from
across the continent took part in the initiative. Among them was Ndileka
Mandela, granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first Black president
and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
"I came away with a positive impression of inscribing my wishes on the nevalyashka doll, because for me this initiative symbolises a united Africa and the prospect of cooperation with Russia. That is what I wrote on the toy: 'For a united Africa and future cooperation with Russia'," said Ndileka Mandela.
The nevalyashka doll is one of the most recognisable symbols of the National
Centre RUSSIA. Its meaning lies in its very design: the toy represents
resilience and the ability to get back up despite difficulties.
"I really liked the idea and the symbolism. The fact that a roly-poly doll never falls over really reflects the Russian character. The sanctions imposed on you have only made you stronger. That is highly symbolic and very meaningful," said Gamal Khaled Gamal Abdel Nasser, grandson of Egypt's second president, Gamal Abdel Nasser, sharing his thoughts on taking part in the collective installation.
Participants in the Media Forum and visitors to the International Press Centre at the National Centre RUSSIA noted that continuing the tradition of adding messages to the "Nevalyashki" art installation highlights the importance of culture as a universal means of building trust between countries and peoples.
"These toys are very cute and colourful, and there is something homely and comforting about them. At first glance, this initiative might seem like a small gesture, but I believe it takes on considerable significance when it comes to friendship between Russia and Africa. It is precisely these little things that help build warm and multifaceted relations between countries," said Salim Atumani Kikeke from Tanzania, one of East Africa's best-known journalists, with more than 20 years of professional experience and 7.2 million social media followers.
The "Nevalyashki" art installation takes the form of a continuous wave of colourful toys. Each participant in the International Festival of Youth — 2026 could choose a doll, write a personal message on it and return it to the collective composition. Guests from 103 countries contributed to the installation. After the festival, the artwork was moved to Moscow as part of the festival's legacy and became a permanent feature of the National Centre RUSSIA.
The messages added to the installation by delegates and visitors from different
countries provide another vivid example of the National Centre RUSSIA's mission
to strengthen international humanitarian cooperation and demonstrate Russia's
openness to intercultural dialogue.
Foreign journalists and bloggers from Africa who visited the National Centre RUSSIA for the first time were impressed by the venue's beauty, scale and atmosphere
The podcast takes viewers back to a time when there were no laws or states — nothing to tell people how to live.
The new National Centre RUSSIA venue is scheduled to open in 2029, with the landscaped park due to open in 2030.
