Together as One: Celebrating Defender of the Fatherland Day Alongside Young People from Abroad
February 23 is Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia. This year, it brought together foreign participants of International Friendship Clubs and young people from Bulgaria and Cyprus.
Russian and international representatives from International Friendship Clubs took part in events celebrating Defender of the Fatherland Day: a concert in the Astrakhan Region, and a patriotic campaign “Singing to Defenders of the Fatherland” in Buryatia. The International Friendship Club of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area hosted a speaking club meeting where young people from Russia and abroad learned that 2025 was declared the “Year of Heroes” in Yamal. It honours the heroes of the Great Patriotic War and the special military operation, the founders of Yamal, and people who help others in their daily lives.
“The Great Patriotic war defined the world as we know it today. It's crucial to feel, think and research to understand the importance of belonging: family, friends, environment, art. This war was about standing for what we believe, and taking the responsibility to go for it. The Friendship Club helps share those topics that made our bond deeper. We need to understand the long journey of the Russian people talking about the Great Patriotic war, and how it shaped the reality for them”, said participant of the International Friendship Club of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area from Argentina Josias Acosta Gonzalez.
The celebrations in the Russian regions will continue for several days. The International Friendship Club of the Ryazan Region will host a team-based intellectual game “January Thunder” dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War.
“The interactive game ‘January Thunder’, designed for international students, is an excellent way to introduce them to our country’s heroic past and deepen their interest in exploring Russia. Such events help participants learn more about the history and culture of our country, fostering mutual understanding and respect among people from diverse nations. This represents a significant contribution to building a friendly and collaborative environment, that we strive to support and nurture. We believe such initiatives encourage friendly ties and deeper understanding among people of different cultures”, said leader of the International Friendship Club of the Ryazan Region Alimurad Ramazanov.
Events dedicated to Defender of the Fatherland Day are taking place internationally: young people from Bulgaria laid flowers at the monument in the Lozenets district of Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital. The event featured Eleonora Mitrofanova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as representatives from Bulgarian public organizations partnering with the World Youth Festival Directorate.
“We celebrate this date every year by laying wreaths and flowers to the cenotaph. This year won’t be different. Monuments are symbols of our shared history and this is one of the main reasons why we should preserve them and commemorate the anniversaries and holidays that reflect centuries of Bulgaria-Russia relations”, shared Head of the National Preparatory Committee of Bulgaria, leader of the Youth Wing of the “Alternative for Bulgarian Revival” Plamena Zayachka.
On February 25, Nicosia will host a screening of the documentary “The allies. Truth and honour!” dedicated to the heroes of the anti-Hitler coalition and the valour of its soldiers. The event will feature one of the movie’s authors and producer Alexander Smolko, as well as a discussion about the movie. The meeting is organized by the Russian Center of Science and Culture in Nicosia, a foreign partner of the World Youth Festival Directorate.
“This film screening is particularly relevant today as history has a tendency to repeat itself. In the past, the global community was able to unite to resist ideologies that brought destruction and hatred. Today, humanity is once again facing challenges that require unity and determination. More and more people around the world, including Cypriot youth, are beginning to realize the importance of historical lessons and understand how crucial it is to defend the values of peace and justice”, said Vladimiros Gorin, representative of the World Youth Festival in Cyprus, coordinator of Victory Day Volunteers.
Overview:
The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 in Sirius, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.
On the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, the WYF will be held in Russia on a regular basis – once in six years. Also, every six years 10,000 young people from all over the world will get together at the International Youth Festival, and in between, international themed gatherings and events will be held under the auspices of the WYF. Festival events of various formats will be held in Russia annually.
According to the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation on the preservation and development of the Festival legacy, the World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.