The National Centre RUSSIA hosts the opening of the III All-Russian Festival "Science and Invention for Life"
On June 28, the National Centre RUSSIA held a series of science-pop events dedicated to Inventor and Innovator Day. Workshops, business games, science shows, and interactive expositions focused on the priorities and potential of scientific and technological development. During the official ceremony, honoured guests opened the III All-Russian Festival "Science and Invention for Life," which will take place across 15 regions of Russia and bring together more than 400,000 like-minded participants.
Each year, Russia celebrates Inventor and Innovator Day on the last Saturday of June. This year’s celebration at the National Centre RUSSIA was organised by the All-Russian Society of Inventors and Rationalisers (VOIR).
At the official opening ceremony of Inventor and Innovator Day, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the VOIR Board of Trustees Dmitry Chernyshenko addressed the participants. He congratulated them on the occasion and noted that the All-Russian Society of Inventors and Rationalisers now unites more than 100,000 members across the country.
"Our President, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, has approved new national projects for technological leadership. The key to their successful implementation lies in the development and adoption of breakthrough, science-intensive technologies and solutions. It is your innovative ideas and projects that drive Russian science and industry forward. In turn, the Government is placing great emphasis on developing the scientific sphere and building modern educational infrastructure. Our project 'Youth and Children' is aimed at supporting and nurturing talent from the earliest age — from school to university. My friends! I wish all inventors success, inspiration, and brilliant discoveries and inventions for the benefit of our country," said Dmitry Chernyshenko.
Vladimir Kononov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education and Chairman of the Central Council of VOIR, highlighted the special symbolism of the holiday’s coincidence with Youth Day, as young scientists, engineers and inventors are the key resource in securing Russia’s technological leadership.
"VOIR’s strategy through to 2030 places a strong emphasis on young people. We are witnessing a growing prestige in the professions of engineer, scientist and inventor, supported by significant state measures — increased investment in research and development, benefits for young inventors applying to universities, tax deductions related to inventive activity, the expansion of high-tech goods and services, and much more. Let this festival become a vivid demonstration of the power of Russian inventive thought. May the ideas presented here find their way to implementation, and may the inventions contribute to strengthening technological sovereignty and the prosperity of our great Motherland," said Vladimir Kononov in his address to the festival participants.
Konstantin Mogilevsky, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and Deputy Chairman of the VOIR Board of Trustees, noted that for an inventor, it is crucial to create innovations that improve people’s lives — which is why the name of the festival, "Science and Invention for Life," holds special significance.
"Today, there are more and more opportunities to make your mark even during your student years. Student research societies, youth laboratories, and advanced engineering schools are being established across the country. Even while at university, you already have many opportunities to shape your future career path. So I congratulate you on this occasion and wish that the creative spirit of invention always stays with you," added Konstantin Mogilevsky.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony were Yury Zubov, Head of the Federal Service for Intellectual Property; Ivan Komarov, Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation at the National Research University "Moscow Power Engineering Institute"; and Sergei Salikhov, First Vice-Rector of the National University of Science and Technology MISIS.
One of the most significant and celebratory moments of the ceremony was the induction of 13 young and talented scientists into the community of inventors. VOIR membership certificates and honorary badges were presented to them by Vladimir Kononov together with Oleg Dyachenko, Member of the Presidium of the Central Council and Executive Director of VOIR. In addition, eight distinguished VOIR scientists who have made a substantial contribution to the development of scientific and technical creativity and inventiveness received awards and commendation certificates.
The ceremony also marked the official launch of the VOIR Festival "Science and Invention for Life," which will take place over the course of the year in 15 regions across Russia. More than 400,000 people interested in scientific and technological development are expected to attend — including scientists, researchers, students, learners, and others.
On the opening day of the VOIR Festival at the National Centre RUSSIA, educational spaces welcomed more than a thousand participants, offering them the chance to explore the world of inventiveness, engage with engineers and scientists, and exchange experiences. For example, students from the National Research University "Moscow Power Engineering Institute" presented a display of retro inventions, while the head of the business incubator and acceleration programme at the Faculty of Economics of Lomonosov Moscow State University held a business game in which participants, within just a few hours, followed the journey from inventor of a technological solution to entrepreneur who successfully brought it to market. Visitors also took part in themed quizzes on the past, present and future of science and invention, and explored how physical and mathematical solutions can help in everyday life. Additional activities included a training session on the development of game mechanics and a lecture on a technology that uses fungi to restore stone and 3D printers to build energy-efficient homes.
This year, the III All-Russian VOIR Festival "Science and Invention for Life" will bring together over 250 experts from leading Russian scientific and educational institutions. Through interactive and accessible formats, they will introduce audiences to the world of technical creativity. Anyone interested in technological progress can take part in the festival — whether an established inventor or scientist, a young researcher at the start of their journey, or a member of the general public. The festival will run until the end of the year and conclude with the traditional awards ceremony for the winners of the All-Russian Inventor of the Year competition.
Event photobank
Instead of a standard lecture, the organisers have prepared interactive tasks for guests.
In the lead-up to this major event, we look back at five traditional blessings given to newlyweds for a happy life together under the protection of their ancestors.
Visitors to the National Centre RUSSIA explored the "Flagships of Education" project within the "Space of Opportunities".
