International Youth Festival opens in Ekaterinburg, Russia

The International Youth Festival has officially opened in Ekaterinburg, Russia, running from September 11 to September 17, 2026. The event brings together more than 10,000 delegates and leaders representing 191 countries.

Organized by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs and promoted by President Vladimir Putin, the festival operates under the theme ‘Pursue your dream’. The program aims to strengthen intercultural dialogue and support the development of the Global South while advocating for a multipolar international order. The agenda is structured around seven strategic axes, including technological development, environmental sustainability, energy transition, and the preservation of cultural codes.

Participants are scheduled to visit 33 routes across 35 regions of the Russian Federation to observe the country's scientific and industrial potential. The festival also features artistic exchanges, including music and dance performances from the various participating cultures.