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- Top color: participants from 191 countries get acquainted with the cultural and technological code of Russia
Top color: participants from 191 countries get acquainted with the cultural and technological code of Russia
The International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg is gaining momentum: new participants continue to arrive in the city. The pavilions are constantly bustling with life — young people get to know each other, take pictures, discuss projects and sometimes argue enthusiastically. The participants try themselves in new formats, share their experiences and look for like-minded people. In total, the festival is expected to bring together about 10,000 young people from 191 countries, half of them foreigners. How the site lives these days and what impressions Russia leaves for the guests — in the "Izvestia" report.
What are foreigners interested in at the MFM?
The huge "Yekaterinburg Expo", where the International Youth Festival is taking place, is hard to miss: the complex is located next to a transport interchange on the way from the airport. Taxi drivers complained that there were too many traffic police officers on the roads. This is understandable — about 10,000 young people from 191 countries are coming to the Ural capital these days.
In the main pavilion, after the inspection, the borders between the countries seem to be completely erased. Colorful music is playing everywhere, dancing and filming are taking place, and participants are actively getting to know representatives of other countries. Not far from the entrance, a crowd of Brazilians laughed loudly, posing at a booth with nesting dolls, which they clearly liked. Nearby, on a large banner with wishes, students from Nigeria signed their names.
You can't stay in one place for long. We almost immediately got into the stream of people who carried us through the huge pavilions. The festival is divided into several thematic zones, ranging from culture to natural resources and digital technologies. "The "Source of Life" is dedicated to agricultural developments, while "Technological Leadership" is dedicated to industrial solutions.
Participants from African countries especially often linger at the agricultural stands. Here they talk about the types of soils and methods of their treatment, and specialized companies demonstrate their developments. One of them is engaged in the production of agricultural drones.
— This is a very interesting specimen. Farming is very difficult in Africa. Such "machines" could help us out a lot," said Congolese John, carefully examining a huge drone that sprays pest control products over the fields.
Soon a representative of the company approached us. John only spoke French, so he had to become a translator for a while. The business negotiations were successful: the interlocutors exchanged business cards.
— I need you to send me a catalog of your products. When I return to the Congo, I will prepare a report for my ministry. Perhaps we'll turn to your products," John said, after which he briefly shook our hands and disappeared into the crowd.
Agricultural technologies are of particular importance for a number of African countries. Therefore, solutions that save water and automate agricultural processes are of great interest here.
However, not everything on the site came down to business negotiations. A stand with a simulator of a combine harvester is located very close by. Energetic students of the Ural State Agrarian University worked with him. There was an African participant in the cockpit, to whom, despite the language barrier, a student named Dmitry explained the controls.
"It's better not to twist the steering wheel, otherwise you can leave the harvest line," he explained to the foreigner, simultaneously trying to hold the steering wheel with him. — This is not an easy job.
According to Dmitry, many Africans come to Russia and receive engineering education at his university. However, the interest of the festival participants is not limited to agricultural technologies. Representatives of India, for example, were particularly impressed by the hydrogen car.
— There are quite a few interesting projects here. We are already discussing some ideas with our partners. For example, I just saw a car powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which is very interesting. There are other projects that we are currently negotiating. We are looking at where we can cooperate," Rajat Kumar, an Indian entrepreneur and graduate of BRICS International School, told us.
This trip to Russia was already his fourth. He also participated in the World Youth Festival 2024, and now he is looking for partners for future projects. For some participants, the opportunity to come back to Russia itself became one of the reasons to be in Yekaterinburg.
Ibrahim Odeh, for example, was also at the WFM-2024. Before the first trip, he knew almost nothing about Russia, but after the festival he wanted to return. His friend Bader Daka came to the country for the first time and immediately noted the local hospitality. However, the conversation about the festival quickly turned to politics.
— We believe that the United States dominates the world now, but we oppose this. Russia must remain not only a regional, but also a global force in order to maintain balance in the region and promote peace. We support the Russian Federation," Ibrahim said emotionally.
"I'm most interested in art"
The festival is not just about deals and business projects. During the week, the organizers expect to hold about 650 events with the participation of about 2 thousand artists. The program includes concerts, film screenings, dance workshops and national performances: from the Guangdong Puppet Theater and the Asian Dragon Parade to the Latin American marathon and Brazilian drum practice.
National dishes are prepared at the "Tastes of the World" gastronomic site, and a street culture and sports park is open on the street. There you can play football, table tennis, lapta and small towns. One of the pavilions houses more than 10 stands dedicated to the "Cultural Code" of Russia. And they clearly attract foreigners. Indian Rakshanda was photographed against the background of a huge 3D image of Pushkin's face. She is studying to become a doctor, but she is still more interested in something else at the festival.
— So far, I've only been to the campus, so I haven't explored all the festival venues yet. But I will definitely do it. I'm most interested in art right now," she replied sheepishly.
Nearby, next to the stand of the Ministry of Culture, there were guys from Iraqi Kurdistan. At first, we didn't even understand which country's flag one of the participants was holding on his shoulders.
"We are the biggest nation that does not have its own state," one of them told us sadly.
However, he quickly cheered up, talking about his impressions of Russia. In Yekaterinburg, they want to taste the local food, learn at least a few words in Russian and learn more about the country. They admit that they imagined Russia quite differently before the trip. They were particularly interested in the "Warrior" stand, where classes in tactical medicine are held.
For all the fuss around, it's easy to overlook those who literally keep the festival afloat — the volunteers. In total, the organizers attracted about 2 thousand people — students and schoolchildren from different regions. They work in several services: they translate, accompany delegations and help people with disabilities. Each has its own form. For example, the members of the "Service of Kindness" wear orange clothes with special patches on their sleeves. And this is not accidental.
Thanks to the volunteer can literally be glued on the sleeve here. The festival participants have special sticker packs for this purpose. By the color of the uniform, it is generally easy to understand who is responsible for what: the escorts of the delegations are dressed in yellow, the security staff in black.
— We are here because this is an important event. Besides, there are many delegations here. Who doesn't want to talk to foreigners? — Vlada's volunteer told us.
As a result, the line between those who came to work, help, or just get to know each other is quickly erased. Everyone becomes a part of one big process and seems to really enjoy it. This is perhaps the main point of the festival: after a week in Yekaterinburg, people from different countries will have not only impressions of Russia, but also new acquaintances that may be useful more than once in the future.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
