The National Centre RUSSIA hosts first graduation ceremony for future leaders of Russian journalism
Filming and interviews, hesitant questions and sometimes awkward pauses. This is how the first cohort of the Young Journalists School at the National Centre RUSSIA began. It concluded on Youth Day, June 27, with a solemn graduation ceremony that brought together media experts, teachers, mentors, parents, representatives of partner organisations and, of course, the graduates themselves — those who, not so long ago, first crossed the threshold of the National Centre RUSSIA to learn how to tell honest and engaging stories in the language of modern media.
"This is a special day for all of us. There can only ever be one first cohort. Be proud of this — it is your victory and your achievement. More than a thousand people from across the country wanted to become students of the School, but it was you who passed the selection process, wanted this, made the effort and achieved your goal. These four months were very eventful: classes with the country’s leading television channels and well-known Russian journalists. I saw your eyes light up. And we are not saying goodbye. The life of the National Centre, which was established by order of our President Vladimir Putin, is filled with events and projects. Come back to us with your projects, ideas, articles, dreams and new initiatives. Many thanks to our partners, who helped make the Young Journalists School truly interesting, and to the parents who supported the children throughout this journey. Dream, dare and remain just as curious," said Natalia Virtuozova, the Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA.
Anastasia Zvyagina, the Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, addressed the graduates of the first cohort not as aspiring journalists, but as colleagues — those who had already shown success in the profession and were ready to move forward. She called the children the pride of the country and emphasised that they had already become part of the National Centre RUSSIA.
"You have become real journalists. The way you work on camera and the way you speak makes us immensely proud. After every meeting, experts noted that they had seen unique, talented young people — the pride of the country. That is why we have great hopes for you — you are already part of our team. The National Centre RUSSIA is a space where the most significant projects take place and branches are opening across the country. And we truly need your knowledge, energy and ideas. Russia is a country of opportunity. Believe in yourselves, develop, boldly propose your ideas, and the National Centre will definitely support you," said Anastasia Zvyagina.
Irina Shilkina, Head of the Department of External Communications and Reference Work at the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, congratulated the children on the start of a new stage in life: "On behalf of Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov and the entire Ministry, I congratulate you on the new stage that begins today. Together with the National Centre RUSSIA, we look forward to your new ideas, initiatives and projects, which we will bring to life together. Whatever profession you choose — journalism or any other — the most important thing is to remain decent, honest and responsible people and to love your country. Then any endeavour you take on will surely be successful."
Mikhail Kanavtsev, Vice-Rector for Media Education at the Senezh Management Workshop and Head of the New Media Workshop, compared the path of an aspiring journalist to the growth of a young oak tree. He emphasised that it is almost impossible to follow this difficult path without the support of elders, the "oak grove", and promised the graduates that members of the professional community would always be there to help and support them.
"There is a piece of natural wisdom: oak trees grow well only in an oak grove. When a small acorn sprouts among large trees, they protect it from strong winds and bright sun. Today, your community is being formed here — a community of young but very promising people. At the same time, we, as senior colleagues and a large professional community, are ready to support you and walk this difficult path with you under the bright sun. I really want you to know this, feel it and not be afraid to ask for help," said Mikhail Kanavtsev.
The young journalists were also addressed by Khristina Sergeyeva, Adviser to the Director of Rosdetcentr. She noted that a graduation ceremony on Youth Day was a symbolic and good sign, because the future of journalism and the entire country is in the children’s hands.
Words of gratitude were also voiced by parents, who warmly and sincerely thanked the project organisers for helping their children not only learn the basics of the profession over the season, but also gain confidence, make friends and find their own path in media. One of the most memorable moments of the evening was a creative congratulatory performance by the graduates themselves.
The festive atmosphere was completed by a bright musical programme. The cover band First Ball of Natasha Rostova, laureates of the All-Russian Festival Russian Student Spring, performed for the guests of the graduation ceremony.
Over four months, from March to June 2026, participants in the Young Journalists School completed five modules, attended 30 classes, 10 master meetings and 20 tours of leading Russian media outlets. They studied the fundamentals of journalism, the Russian language, professional ethics and law. The children gained practical experience: they covered more than 40 events at the National Centre RUSSIA, prepared 27 reports on the "Geography Lessons" exposition and much more.
Following the training, 82 graduates developed and presented 32 final qualification media projects at their defence. The projects were assessed by the School team and invited specialists from leading Russian media outlets. For their graduation projects, the children chose a wide range of topics and media formats — from a short feature about the Vladimir-Suzdal lion as a symbol of unity and a longread reflection on the fate of school slang to a series of video interviews about sport and a short film about the importance of support in the family.
The Young Journalists School is a multi-format project by the National Centre RUSSIA. It helps teenagers gain basic professional skills, get to know leading Russian media outlets and practising journalists, learn how to work with information and take their first steps in their future profession. The project is implemented jointly with the Movement of the First with the support of the Ministry of Education of Russia. Its programme partners are ANO "Dialogue" and the New Media Workshop.
Event photobank
The expert was Vadim Ampelonsky, Development Director at Synergy Corporation, journalist, PR specialist and strategic communications expert.
The Young Journalists School is a multi-format educational project of the National Centre RUSSIA.
