Smolensk Region Day was held at the National Centre RUSSIA

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Seventy activists and mentors from the Smolensk region, who achieved significant success in the activities of the Movement of the First in 2025, gathered at the National Centre RUSSIA for "Smolensk Region Day at the Media House of the First" on 22 November.

The Smolensk delegation of the Movement of the First was greeted by the Chairman of the Board of the Movement of the First, Artur Orlov; Deputy Chair of the Government of the Smolensk region, Anastasia Gapeyeva; Deputy Chair of the Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, Artem Turov; and Chair of the Council of the regional branch of the Movement of the First in the Smolensk region, Pavel Petrov.

Young participants from the Smolensk region presented Artur Orlov with the board game "Manor Houses of Smolensk", developed by the students themselves, and a collection of environmental fairy tales. Both gifts were the result of the project "The First Have Their Say", aimed at supporting children's initiatives. The participants also presented the Hero of Russia with a commemorative souvenir from the Smolensk region and a group photograph from the Summer Gatherings of the family community "Rodnye-Lyubimye" (Dear-Loved Ones). The gatherings annually bring together families from across Russia in the Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park.

The results of the Movement of the First in the Smolensk region were presented by activist Anastasia Demchenkova, a member of the regional branch's Council. She noted that to date, 481 primary branches have opened in the region, and the number of participants of the Movement has reached 42,500. Anastasia Demchenkova also spoke about unique regional initiatives, including the Russian-Belarusian project "Under One Sky" and the summer gatherings of the "Rodnye-Lyubimye" family community.

The culmination of the event was a panel discussion on opportunities for children and young people created in the Smolensk region. Distinguished guests and students reflected on why it is important to stay in one’s homeland, contribute to its development through one’s work and build a family on native soil.

At the end of the discussion, Movement of the First activist from the Vyazemsky Municipal District, Alisa Kotova, presented the guests with postcards featuring her own designs depicting landmarks of Vyazma, a city of military glory.

The event concluded with a tour of the National Centre RUSSIA held for activists.

"Smolensk Region Day has become a particularly meaningful and symbolic recognition for our most active young participants and mentors. It is an opportunity to feel connected to the history of our country, to understand the unique role of our native Smolensk region within the Russian Federation while standing in the very heart of the capital. I am certain that the enthusiasm and motivation the students gained will help them develop and realise their talents for the benefit of their homeland," said Pavel Petrov, Chair of the Council of the regional branch of the Movement of the First.