The first day of the International Symposium "Inventing the Future" has passed. How did it go?
On November 4, the International Symposium "Inventing the Future" commenced at the National Centre RUSSIA grounds in Moscow. The first day featured over 20 events across four tracks: "Future of Human," "Future of Technology," "Future of Multipolar World," and "Future of Civilizations."
Participants discussed the prospects for the development of innovation, culture, ecology, healthcare, diplomacy, and content. The symposium was attended by 3,000 people on November 4.
A greeting to the participants, organizers, and guests of the event was delivered by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. In his message, the head of state emphasized that despite the current challenges facing Russia, it is essential to set goals that are ahead of time, outline new breakthrough directions, and strive to look beyond the horizon of tomorrow.
"I will emphasize the main point — we must determine our future solely by ourselves — based on a sovereign worldview, national culture, relentless creative pursuit, and firm commitment to undeniable moral and patriotic ideals and values. Only then will the boldest and most daring dreams inevitably come true. Our people have proven this time and again throughout our thousand-year history. We built a great power, opened the way to the stars for humanity, ensured the country's leadership in the peaceful use of atomic energy, and achieved monumental scientific and geographical discoveries. Both we and future generations must live up to the legacy of our fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers," noted Vladimir Putin.
The central event of the first day of the Symposium was the opening plenary discussion "The Philosophy of the Future." Its key topics included the formation of the society of the future, the creation of living environments, the influence of artificial intelligence on human life, and technological development. Participants also discussed the opportunities that Russia can offer to civilization.
The First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the National Centre RUSSIA, Sergei Kiriyenko, spoke about the way the unity of the people is ensured not only by traditions but also by dreams.
"The unity of the people is determined not only by traditions but also by a vision of the future. By a dream, if you will. And we have, of course, dreamed and continue to dream of a sovereign and strong country, a just order in the world where people of every nationality have the opportunity to realize their talents, to be happy and successful, and to live in a safe world. Everyone gathered here at the International Symposium contributes immensely to this," noted Sergei Kiriyenko.
A significant part of the program was a panel discussion titled "The Future of the Multipolar World," featuring the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergei Lavrov. He assessed the current state of affairs on the international stage and pointed out the need for future forecasting.
"Today, in an era of rapid change, we are certainly interested in scientists, thinkers, futurists, and visionaries who possess imagination and the ability to think outside the box, attempting to look beyond the horizon and contribute to understanding current processes, forecasting, and modeling new forms of international life that will correspond to the altered realities, and, in my opinion, should be based on the enduring principles of the UN Charter. If they are not fulfilled, it is not because they are bad or unjust. They are just, which is precisely why the West does not want to implement them — because justice is not a characteristic of a world system that the West has created and wishes to preserve despite the objective historical trends towards strengthening multipolarity," said Sergei Lavrov.
Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation, noted the increasing role of BRICS in the global economy in his speech. He emphasized that the economic growth of the future will be driven by the countries that gathered at the summit of this association in Kazan in 2024.
"The BRICS countries must play a crucial role in creating conditions for such growth — technological, personnel, logistical, financial — through the implementation of a large number of initiatives that have been formed at the BRICS platform, are actively developing, and will drive the economy forward," stressed Maxim Oreshkin.
On the first day of the Symposium, leaders of major Russian and foreign museums discussed the prospects for exposition development and their role in designing the future.
"Today’s platform is very important. It will allow us to take a peek into the future — how we will live, develop, and build friendships. And how we will construct the museum of the future. No one is against museums existing independently. But if there is global support from the state, it helps and provides a new legislative basis for further development," emphasized Alexander Khramoy, Director of the National Historical Museum of the Republic of Belarus, during the Congress "Museum: A Place for Shaping the Future."
A series of interviews also commenced on the first day of the Symposium, featuring well-known politicians, scientists, and cultural figures. In an open dialogue with Semyon Mikhailovsky, member of the Council for Culture and Arts under the President of the Russian Federation and Rector of the Ilya Repin St. Petersburg State Academy of Fine Arts, the Head of the Geopolitical Observatory for Russia's Key Issues — G.O.R.K.I. Centre at St. Petersburg State University, Karin Kneissl, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria (2017—2019), and the President of the National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", physicist, and corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Mikhail Kovalchuk, spoke.
Another unique event of the Symposium was the scenario room dedicated to the theme "Overcoming the Boundaries of Aging in the Concept of Techno-Optimism." The project brought together leading figures from science, technology, and media businesses. Experts developed an entire universe with unique characters and their living environments, with events unfolding in Russia of the future. Visionaries utilized artificial intelligence in their work.
The experimental format of the Symposium, "Foresight of Worlds and Times," united science fiction writers, scientists, engineers, inventors, designers, and representatives of the creative community to work on mapping the worlds of science fiction at the turn of the XXI and XXII centuries. On the first day, expert groups began exploring fantastic worlds, projecting possible paths for their development, and creating key events and characters of future fiction. This work will continue until the end of the Symposium.
Additionally, on the opening day of the International Symposium "Inventing the Future," the library of the National Centre RUSSIA received its first book donations from foreign guests. Unique literary works were presented by guests from China and the United Arab Emirates.
On November 4, as part of the Symposium, the exposition "Heritage for the Future" opened. Among its first spectators were diplomats from the embassies of 64 countries. The collection features over 250 works by young artists from the best art academies in Russia, China, India, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Iran, created in various techniques — from painting to video art. From November 7, this unique exposition will be accessible to all.
"We carefully reviewed numerous works and selected those truly worthy of being presented at the National Centre RUSSIA. We are very inspired, and we genuinely like these works. We support these young artists, who are incredibly talented and possess all the resources and skills, and we wish them success in life and creativity," noted Semyon Mikhailovsky, curator of the exposition, member of the Council for Culture and Arts under the President of the Russian Federation, and Rector of the Ilya Repin St. Petersburg State Academy of Fine Arts.
At the International Symposium "Inventing the Future," as part of a special project by the National Centre RUSSIA, JSC "Russian Post," and JSC "Marka," guests have the opportunity to send postcards titled "Message to the Future" featuring a limited-edition stamp with the official symbol of the RUSSIA EXPO, which displays a heart — one of the most recognizable and beloved symbols of the Exposition. Guests can also leave their wishes, share plans, or dreams by placing their postcards in a special capsule.
Throughout the day, Symposium participants could enjoy a variety of cultural activities, including the project "Portraits of the Future," where artists painted portraits of anyone interested in real-time in a futurist style. The artists of the "Landscapes of the Future" project sketched landscapes of Russia, while creators from the "Inhabitants of the Future" project produced works in the style of futurism.
Additionally, visitors were treated to performances by one of the world’s leading theremin players, Pyotr Termen, and renowned Moscow organist and composer Ilya Goldenberg. They also had the chance to explore the "Department Store" space, showcasing unique products from over 120 producers across 50 regions of the country.
The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is being held from November 4 to 6. Its participants include scientists, researchers, futurists, science fiction writers, and representatives from government bodies from 101 countries, including Russia, India, Italy, Iran, China, the UAE, Serbia, the USA, and France. The program features over 60 sessions. The program and event broadcasts are available at the website future.russia.ru.
The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is the first event of the National Centre RUSSIA, which was established on July 1, 2024, by the order of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The Centre aims to preserve the legacy of the International RUSSIA EXPO and showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens. The work of the Centre involves federal authorities, state companies, corporations, and regions.
The exposition features over 250 artworks in various techniques.
A series of interviews with prominent figures in science and culture has begun at the National Centre RUSSIA.
The project features over 120 manufacturers from 50 regions of the country.
