Foreign participants of the SHUM Forum visited the National Centre RUSSIA

Participants of the educational SHUM Forum — journalists, copywriters, SMM managers, and media specialists from various countries — visited the National Centre RUSSIA. The international guests donated books to the Centre's library and took part in the "Inventing the Future" tour.

The trip to Moscow and the visit to the National Centre RUSSIA were rewards for the winners of the "SHUM. Journalism of Industry 5.0" project by the Rosmolodezh platform which involved journalists aged 18 to 35 from Russia and 85 other countries. The event was held in the Kaliningrad region in October for the fourth time.

The delegation included renowned radio host Luz Rodriguez from Venezuela, popular bloggers Pablo Borda from Argentina and Petar Popović from Serbia, Nigerian journalist Agwam Collins, Serbian reporter and editor Aleksandar Stojanović, and international journalist Heziret González Gallardo from Mexico.

"The National Centre was established by presidential decree to preserve the legacy of the International RUSSIA EXPO. We are delighted by the growing interest in the Centre from both Russian citizens and international visitors since its opening. Today, we are hosting young foreign journalists and bloggers. I hope our guests will enjoy the expositions. I also want to express gratitude for the wonderful books they have gifted to our library," shared Anastasia Zvyagina, Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, with the guests.

In the "Library of the Future" hall, international guests explored how visionary science fiction authors, from Jules Verne to Kir Bulychev, imagined the modern world. In the "Invention Hall," a guide explained how incredible ideas from these authors have become real-life technologies and inventions. The guests enthusiastically took photos in the interactive areas, particularly enjoying the "Greetings from Space" installation and the "Professions of the Future" gaming zone, where they tried roles such as a lunar station engineer and a spaceship pilot.

"We are thrilled to be here. The National Centre RUSSIA is an impressive showcase of Russia's ability to influence the world and society. This magnificent space demonstrates how Russian and Soviet authors thought about the future, technology, and humanity's endless potential for innovation. At the same time, it reveals how these ideas are coming to life today," said Pablo Borda.

The tour concluded in the gallery hosting the exposition "Legacy for the Future," showcasing sculptures, paintings, photographs, as well as art installations and animations by young artists from Russia, China, Iran, India, Ethiopia, and Brazil.

To commemorate their visit, the guests presented the National Centre RUSSIA's library with meaningful books. For instance, Luz Rodriguez gifted a work dedicated to Venezuelan revolutionary and statesman Hugo Chávez. Heziret Gonzalez Gallardo contributed a collection of poems by renowned Mexican poet Octavio Paz.

Pablo Borda decided to share a report book about the 2024 World Youth Festival, which took place in Sochi from February 29 to March 7. Borda, who participated in the festival, admitted it was the most remarkable experience of his life. Visiting Russia for the first time, he made many friends from all over the world.

The first book donations from international guests enriched the library during the International Symposium "Inventing the Future." Among these were a novel by Chinese science fiction writer Liu Cixin, "The Three-Body Problem," and a book by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE, titled "My Vision: Challenges in the Race for Excellence."

The National Centre RUSSIA was established by order of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to preserve the legacy of the International RUSSIA EXPO and to showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens on a permanent basis. Federal government agencies, state companies, corporations, and regions take part in the Centre’s work.

The National Centre RUSSIA is located at 14 Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment, Moscow. The Centre is open from 10:00 to 20:00 every day except Monday.