The programme of the International Week "Peoples of Russia" presented at the National Centre RUSSIA

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Cultural, educational and youth events of the International Week "Peoples of Russia" will run from 2 to 8 November. Details of the programme were presented at a press conference on 21 October at the National Centre RUSSIA. Events will take place across several venues in accordance with a decree issued by President of Russia Vladimir Putin. The main events at the National Centre RUSSIA will run from 5 to 7 November. Visitors can explore expositions devoted to the heroic contribution of the republics during the Great Patriotic War, the work of investigators during the special military operation, and service to the Motherland.

The press conference speakers were Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Alexei Shevtsov; Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Anastasia Zvyagina; Director General of the Russian society Znanie Maxim Dreval; Head of the Directorate for Social and Political Work of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation and Hero of Russia Sergei Petrov; State Secretary and Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Denis Ashirov; and Deputy Head of FGKU "RIA 'Army of Russia'" of the Ministry of Defence of Russia Alexei Larin.

"The Office of the Security Council is working on organising the International Week of the Peoples of Russia together with the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, the Russian Government, federal government bodies, Russia’s regions, Roscongress, the National Centre RUSSIA and the World Trade Centre. The International Week includes an extensive business programme, with around 50 sessions devoted to national unity, protecting historical memory, strengthening a shared Russian civic identity, and international humanitarian cooperation. I would also point out that the International Week’s events will take place before, during and after National Unity Day, which embodies all the ideas underpinning the programme as a whole," emphasised Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Alexei Shevtsov.

He described the unique exposition "Republics for the Front. 1941–1945", which the Office of the Security Council of the Russian Federation will present at the National Centre RUSSIA. Based on archival documents and photographs, it illustrates the shared heroic contribution of all the Soviet republics to the Great Victory and will remain open throughout the Week. The idea for the book series arose from an awareness of the extent to which history is being distorted today, particularly in European countries, and the importance of countering this. The series was prepared by a large team of authors, including historians and researchers from the Russian State University for the Humanities, with contributions from the Russian Historical Society and members of the academic community in CIS countries. It draws on materials from Rosarkhiv and was produced under the overall coordination of the Office of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and the offices of the security councils of CIS countries. Alongside the exposition, a documentary is being produced with the film company Lendoc, as well as a podcast series. He said the project preserves the memory of previous generations’ heroism and protects historical truth, while the Victory was and will remain the Victory of fraternal peoples. Alexei Shevtsov added that Russia’s diversity, historical memory and image as a guardian of traditional values complement one another: against the backdrop of an identity crisis in the West, Russia, where peoples preserve their traditions and distinctive identities, attracts foreigners.

Anastasia Zvyagina thanked the Security Council of Russia for its trust and for another opportunity to host events devoted to international dialogue, shaping national identity and strengthening the unity of the peoples of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

"The International Week of the Peoples of Russia fully reflects the purpose and objectives of the National Centre: pride in our country and its traditional values, and work with young people and children. The programme has been a year in the making, and importantly, all events will be free to attend. President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin created this space so that Russian citizens and visitors could come here and learn about the country, its life and its peoples. Ours is one of the most ethnically diverse countries, and it is important to us that the whole world knows this," said Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Anastasia Zvyagina.

She recalled that President Vladimir Putin launched the Year of Unity of Russia at the National Centre, and that all events at the venue are dedicated to this theme. For example, the original multi-genre production "Khorovod" premiered on 28 April. It takes audiences on an extensive journey through the dance traditions of Russia’s peoples, from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok. A khorovod is a dance with no first or last participant: everyone stands in a single circle, holding hands and moving to a shared rhythm. The project will culminate in the production "Khorovod. Energy of Unity", running from 10 to 12 November. It will feature leading Russian ensembles, Bolshoi Theatre performers and ensembles representing the country’s peoples. All the events, she emphasised, celebrate centuries of unity that they take pride in and will allow no one to call into question.

Director General Maxim Dreval provided further details of the Russian society Znanie’s events. The International Week "Peoples of Russia" will include the Znanie.Unity educational marathon, featuring lectures, panel discussions, exposition projects and special projects. One of its central events will be the discussion "One for All: Unity of Peoples for Victory", devoted to the contribution of the Soviet republics to the defeat of Nazism. It will feature the presentation of the Russian society Znanie’s new video project "Republics for the Front", based on the book series of the same name published this year under the auspices of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. The marathon will also include the presentation of the book "We Are Russia. Origins and Horizons of National Unity", devoted to the historical, cultural and shared values that underpin the unity of our country’s peoples.

"The Znanie.Unity marathon will bring together around 1,500 young people in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod from different regions of Russia, as well as Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Kyrgyzstan. State and public figures, scientists, heroes and cultural figures will discuss scientific sovereignty and the principles of a multipolar world with young people, and meet veterans of the Great Patriotic War and the special military operation. I hope it will become a tradition to bring young people together on these dates every year for dialogue with the country’s outstanding figures, so that a living connection between generations and cultures becomes a reliable foundation for our shared future," stated Maxim Dreval.

In addition to the marathon, the Russian society Znanie is preparing the exposition "We Are Russia. Origins and Horizons of the Unity of Peoples", which will open in Nizhny Novgorod and Yekaterinburg. From 2 to 15 November, the society’s lecturers will deliver a lecture of the same name at schools, colleges and universities across all 89 constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

7 November will be the Week’s Youth Day. Its programme includes cultural events, games and workshops, expositions and business events. Denis Ashirov explained how young people will be able to take part as both audience members and co-creators of events.

"7 November is Youth Day, and we want as many young people as possible to take part. Through the initiatives of the national project 'Youth and Children' and our partners, we will showcase the opportunities available to young people in our country and enable everyone to explore the values underpinning the Week. The programme is designed to offer something of interest to everyone: schoolchildren, students, those attending with their families or on their own. Importantly, many of the activities have been created by young people themselves, because everything we now do in youth policy is a collaborative effort. Youth Day will also extend beyond the walls of the National Centre RUSSIA: events will take place at youth centres and youth policy institutions across all 89 regions of the country," emphasised State Secretary and Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Denis Ashirov.

He said around 3,000 young people would attend events at the National Centre RUSSIA. Youth Day’s cultural programme will include workshops, a musical screening and expositions that will use spiritual and cultural themes to show young people the distinctive identities of our country’s peoples. The business programme will feature plenary sessions on interethnic and interfaith relations, as well as the preservation of traditional Russian spiritual and moral values. The sporting programme, developed with partners, will offer workshops in street culture and extreme sports. Regional youth teams will prepare local Youth Day events.

The National Centre RUSSIA will also host the photo exposition "The Investigative Committee of Russia Today During the Special Military Operation". Sergei Petrov explained its significance and what the younger generation should see in these photographs: "As part of the International Week 'Peoples of Russia', the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation is presenting an exposition devoted to service to the Fatherland. This is an exposition of photographs by frontline war correspondents, prepared by professional photographer Anatoly Zhdanov. Through this exposition, we want to introduce people to our work: how our staff serve on the front line, risk their lives and face danger every day, carrying out all their tasks with honour and dignity."

The Ministry of Defence of Russia will present the exposition "The Motherland We Defend". Alexei Larin described its concept and the materials visitors will see.

"The photographs in this exposition were taken in places no tourist coach can reach and where you cannot send a reporter on a routine editorial assignment. The exposition assembled by RIA 'Army of Russia' spans an area from the Arctic ice to the Caucasus mountain ranges, from the Baltic coast to the Pacific Ocean. As we walk past the displays, we will see a low northern sky and snow-covered expanses surrounding a Russian Armed Forces base; the sea at sunset, with ships barely discernible as dark silhouettes on the horizon; Peter the Great Bay and Pacific Fleet ships heading out to sea; and combat helicopters flying along the rock face of Mount Naudzhidza. But this exposition is not about geography or military equipment. What we see is one collective portrait. Behind the metal of every vehicle and at every point along a patrol route is a person who remains constantly ready — ready to defend their Motherland. Nothing in these photographs is staged or performed for the camera: true greatness lies in the very fact that these people serve where others could not endure. The word 'we' in the exposition’s title is no coincidence. It is the key word. Our country is defended by real people rather than abstract forces. Each has a hometown, a street and a view from a window familiar since childhood. And they will do everything to defend their Motherland," he explained.

The International Week "Peoples of Russia" lays a long-term foundation for strengthening our country’s multi-ethnic unity and highlights its distinctive civilisational model. Russia is home to more than 190 peoples and ethnic groups, each retaining its unique identity while forming part of a great sovereign state. The International Week helps preserve traditions and cultural and historical legacy, while creating opportunities for direct dialogue between countries that share these spiritual and moral values.

Information about all events at the National Centre RUSSIA is available in the "Events" section. Stay tuned for updates.The International Week "Peoples of Russia" is held annually in accordance with Decree No. 382 of the President of the Russian Federation, dated 1 June 2026, during the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. The Week’s events are coordinated by the Office of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. The operator is the Roscongress Foundation.