We have returned from the Republic of Serbia with new plans and a lot more energy! 🇷🇸🤝🇷🇺

Our team spent 4 eventful days in Belgrade:
🔸 We organized and held the IV Mini-Football “International Friendship Cup” Tournament with the Charity Foundation of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul — sports diplomacy in action!

🔹 We talked with active Serbian youth together with Russian Senator Alexander Voloshin and Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the WYFD ANO at the University of Belgrade. We discussed internships and the IFY-2026

🔹 At the meeting with the WYFD alumni of projects and educational programs, we discussed the idea proposed by the guys to open the Representative Office in Serbia. And we took a notice of such a proposal!

🔺 We met with major news agencies, content creators, government officials and representatives of the non-profit sectors

The visit to Serbia once again demonstrated that the brotherly ties between our peoples are both a tribute to our shared history and a living, dynamic force carried forward by new generations. We saw the enthusiasm of young Serbians, their genuine interest in joint projects ranging from sports to science and technology - this is a solid foundation for the future of our relationship. The challenge for the Directorate now is to translate this trust into concrete actions: joint events, educational programs, and projects.

— said Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.

We are leaving with confidence: Russian-Serbian youth cooperation has a bright future, which is based on the centuries-old friendship of our peoples.

❤️ Serbia, thank you for the warmth and hospitality! We’re just getting started!

From the WYF to a New Chapter in Russia 🇷🇺

Today we have a very special guest — Tamirat Tesfaye Ankishi from Ethiopia, a participant of numerous events organized by the World Youth Festival Directorate, moreover, he was a guest of our #cultural_code column 🤭

Tamirat took part in the WYF-2024 in Sirius and later joined the WYF Assembly-2025 in Nizhny Novgorod and both regional programs. He is also one of the few foreign participants who was selected to take part in the international monitoring of the Russian Presidential elections in 2024.

Thanks to his journey with the WYFD, Tamirat made a life-changing decision: to continue his education in Russia. Today, he is studying the Russian language and preparing to pursue a master’s degree in a Russian university 🟢

In this video, Tamirat shares how the WYF shaped his path, why he has chosen Russia, and what this experience means for his future.

📹 Watch his story and discover how our Festival can change a life.

#russian_lifehack 🇪🇹

Cheburashka has been spotted in Mexico 👀

And not just him! A whole parade of Ded Morozes and Snegurochkas (the Russian version of Santa Claus) took over Mexico City 🎅

Fun fact: in Russia, Santa Claus is called Ded Moroz, which means Father Frost. He always comes with his granddaughter Snegurochka.

Watch the video to see their traditional outfits and feel a bit of Russian vibes right in Mexico 🇲🇽

¡Amigos de México, la Dirección del Festival Mundial de la Juventud les manda un gran saludo! 🟢

#QuestionOfTheWeek
What is the minimum passport validity required to participate in WYFD events? 🙂

🇷🇺 To take part in our events, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your Russian visa expires.

Since the next Festival is planned for autumn, if your passport expires in about 10 months, it’s safer to apply for a new one and get prepared for the registration, which will open soon 🟢