Creating honest content in an age of information noise discussed at the National Centre RUSSIA
Representatives from various fields, interested in fostering an active and responsible civic position, met on 9 December at the National Centre RUSSIA. A discussion session titled "From Information to Action: How Content Shapes the Civic Position" was held here. The event was part of the programme of the All-Russian Patriotic Forum organised by Rospatriotcentre of Rosmolodezh.
Speakers shared their personal vision of and explored how to create in-demand, high-quality products that reflect core values in conditions of information noise and an abundance of low-quality content. One of the central speeches during the discussion was delivered by Anastasia Zvyagina, Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA. She linked the concept of patriotism with civic position, personal responsibility, service, and faith in the new generation.
"It is important that today a civic position is shaped not out of obligation, but out of an inner need. For me, this is not a question of ideology; it is a question of service and responsibility: to the country, to the family, and to oneself. Speaking about content production, the key point here is to create a competitive environment where strong names capable of surprising will reside. Otherwise, we risk to be brought again to alien platforms with values which are also alien to us. At the same time, we have our own powerful cultural foundation. It is not without reason that every New Year we rewatch Soviet films and cartoons with a great delight — because they offer honesty, warmth, and a sense of kinship. At the National Centre RUSSIA, we create projects that help people feel part of a great country. And I sincerely believe that our youth is one of the strongest. They know how to think, create, and take responsibility. They are ready to shape Russia's future," said Anastasia Zvyagina.
Viktor Vodolatsky, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, and Chairman of the Board of the Centre for Military-Sports Training and Patriotic Upbringing of Youth "Warrior", emphasised historical truth and personal stories. Without them, in his opinion, true upbringing is impossible.
"Patriotism for me is the history of my small homeland, the street I walk on, my family, and the heroic history of the Quiet Don, where I was born. Historical truth must be paramount, for our Russia is good, and Europe is evil, which is preaching lack of spirituality and war with monuments. Therefore, my patriotic content is the preservation of our history and our truth. Everyone who speaks here has already brought some benefit, and everyone present in the hall is already representing a change for the better. And I am glad that our youth today is completely different — sensitive and ready for action," noted Viktor Vodolatsky.
Dmitry Kravchenko, member of the Public Council under the Russian Ministry of Education, member of the Russian Writers' Union, Deputy Head of the Committee on Work with Young Authors of the Russian Writers' Union, and author of nine books, admitted that his main patriotic content is poetry. But in the modern world, it has to be promoted through contemporary formats.
"My content is very patriotic, as it is poetry, but alas — nowadays few people need it. I found a way out: I travel around the country and run a blog, combining poetry with entertainment to popularise verse. So, the main thing is to believe in what you are doing. As for the patriotic upbringing of youth, first of all it should come from the family — it is there, in the primary unit of society, that patriotism is born, and only then do schools and other institutions get involved. And then it will be much easier for children to navigate that very information noise," said Dmitry Kravchenko.
Yaroslav Shevelev, Director General of the Resource Centre for New Media and media producer, gave specific examples of how bloggers perform sincere patriotic acts, turning their audience into a force for good.
"Many believe that bloggers are only about money, but we decided to prove that this is not the case. A blogger must understand that their subscribers are an entire army they lead. When a tragedy occurred in Kursk, 126 of our bloggers having more than a million followers posted information about the humanitarian aid collection absolutely free of charge. Our bloggers meet with ministers, travel to Baikonur, covered the BRICS agenda — and didn't take a penny for it. Of course, we cannot say that bloggers should not earn money, but those who earn should be those who understand the times we live in, what our society requires, and what contribution they can make," Yaroslav Shevelev is convinced.
Nadezhda Sysoeva, actress, comedian, and TV presenter, known from the show "Comedy Woman,", sees her patriotic mission today as inspiring youth through sports and personal engagement, showing that patriotism can be alive and relevant.
"Right now, I am helping young people to discover sports — I have my own basketball team, and it is important for me to inspire kids towards a sports-oriented lifestyle. This is my patriotic content. Today, the main trend is short-form content, and long videos don't resonate with the young audience. But from my observations, what really resonates is not a 'polished' advertising picture, but everything natural, authentic, what happens for real. That is why now it is best to show yourself, your real problems, sincere reflections, and emotions. And when another person sees such content — that's when their true values manifest themselves," believes Nadezhda Sysoeva.
Olesya Shigina, Head of the International Travelling Festival "Cinema in the Service of the Fatherland," urged creating content not just skillfully, but with love and an awareness of the moment.
"Both bloggers and those who collect information are very important. But it is also important not just to take information, but to let it pass through your heart. Without love, it is no longer service. I am for art that, through images, heart, and soul, reflects the time and even gives 'tears of purification.' It is not for nothing that they say any truth spoken without love is a lie. Those who carry the seed of goodness are very much needed now. If we do something with the awareness that our guys are out there defending us, then even simple bouquets of flowers become special. Yes, the times are complex, difficult, tragic, overflowing with pain now, but it is precisely in such times that everything greatest is born. So today, everything is in your hands," said Olesya Shigina.
The discussion showed that modern patriotic content is not pompous slogans, but sincere personal stories coming from the heart, and a readiness to act where one is strongest, be it poetry, sports, cinema, or blogging.
The All-Russian Patriotic Forum at the National Centre RUSSIA brought together over 4,000 representatives of patriotic communities from all regions of the country and friendly states. The event's programme includes expert and discussion sessions, round tables, meetings with Heroes of the Russian Federation, and other events. The forum is organised by the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Rospatriotcentre" of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), the Russian society Znanie, the Movement of the First, and the All-Russian Military-Patriotic Public Movement "YUNARMIYA".
Event photobank
Preparations for the opening of the "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition — the main New Year's event at the National Centre RUSSIA, are being finalised.
Valery Fedorov's address took place as part of the Znaniye.Heroes programme at the National Centre RUSSIA.
Before talking with the guests, Maria Zakharova congratulated all those in attendance on Heroes of the Fatherland Day.
