World Youth Festival Directorate

🛫 Next stop — Ekaterinburg! Russian Houses and Russian Embassies around the world are bringing together future IFY–2026 participants. This time, meetings took place in Cyprus, Abkhazia, Serbia and Cuba. Here are the highlights! Cyprus 🇨🇾 At the Russian Center for Science and Culture, participants met with Evgeny Demin, Head of the Center, and Vladimiros Gorin, a representative of the Festival movement in Cyprus. They also discussed what the delegation will bring to Ekaterinburg — national symbols and souvenirs from the sunny island. Abkhazia 🇬🇪 At the “We Are Together” Center, Russian Ambassador Vyacheslav Gladkov presented Said Kulanba, Chairman of “Young Abkhazia”, with a medal and certificate from Russian President Vladimir Putin for his contribution to the preparation of WYF–2024. The delegation also discussed joint educational projects and the role of young people in the development of the republic. Yulia Krastsova, Director of the WYFD Representative Office in Abkhazia, presented the Festival program. Cuba 🇨🇺 At the reception house of the Young Communist League, Embassy diplomats met with future IFY–2026 participants. Madeleine Brossard, Head of the International Department of the YCL National Bureau, thanked the Russian side for its work with candidates, while Embassy Counsellor Vitaly Sprinchan spoke about the role of young people in building a fairer world order. Serbia 🇷🇸 One of the Festival’s largest delegations — 86 people — gathered at the Russian House in Belgrade! Alexander Konanykhin, Minister-Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in Serbia, and Olga Golubeva, Head of the Science and Culture Department at the Russian House, welcomed the participants. Alumni of previous festivals also shared stories about the places they visited during their trips to Russia. 📍 Right now, participants are getting to know each other in their home countries — and very soon, they’ll all meet in the Urals!

This isn't just a lineup — it's a dream come true 🔈 Every day at the IFY–2026, you'll hear music for every taste: rock, pop, folk, techno. Popular artists are taking the stage — the kind whose shows fill stadiums and echo way beyond them. ❤️ Performers from all over the world bring the color, while beloved local acts bring the Russian cultural vibe. Young and bright talents will add extra energy to the festival — plus a secret guest from VK Music, an artist whose tracks are already the biggest hits in the country. Who is it? We'll tell you soon, no rush 🎥 Which artists do you already know? Tell us in the comments 🔥

The IFY–2026 is bringing the world together before it even begins! 🌏 Participants are getting ready to head to Ekaterinburg, while Russian Embassies and Russian Houses are meeting future Festival guests around the world. 🔥 Belgium, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Ethiopia and more are already getting ready. Here are some highlights! Belgium 🇧🇪 Denis Gonchar, Ambassador of Russia, met with participants and talked about the Festival program — from sports and culture to ideas for our shared future. Colombia 🇨🇴 Future participants shared what they expect from their trip and the ideas they’re bringing to Ekaterinburg. Next up — new connections and joint projects with young people from around the world. Mexico 🇲🇽 Alexander Batadeev, Chargé d’Affaires, and the Future Team Mexico spoke with the delegation about the multipolar world, Russia and the initiatives they hope to develop together. ➡️ Plans discussed, ideas ready — now there’s only one thing left: bringing them to life at the IFY–2026!