For three days, Moscow became the world’s cultural capital for children. The Moscow Palace of Pioneers welcomed nearly 2,000 participants from 89 regions of Russia and 17 foreign countries, along with leading cultural figures, top-level specialists, and inspiring speakers. The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and ROSCONCERT.
From August 21 to 23, in the creative space of the Palace on Sparrow Hills, young musicians, artists, actors, writers, and journalists showcased their talents, met renowned cultural figures, presented their own projects, and shared creative ideas. Participants joined from Russia, Belarus, and 16 other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Algeria, Turkey, Oman, Cuba, Serbia, Egypt, Armenia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Gagauzia, and Transnistria.
As Russia’s Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova noted:
“In recent years, the International Children’s Cultural Forum has become a launchpad for dozens of projects that have grown into major cultural initiatives. Our format is unique in that it brings together all the key areas of art and culture in one event. We actively exchange experience with colleagues from abroad: foreign experts take part in the Forum, leading creative sessions and discussions. We also invite representatives of international cultural organizations to discuss joint projects. Such exchanges not only broaden horizons for our participants, but also strengthen the role of Russian culture internationally, demonstrating that children’s creativity is a powerful force in cultural diplomacy. And of course, a special role in the Forum’s program is played by the Children’s Initiatives Competition. Thanks to this unique format, talented young people create and present their own projects to promote cultural heritage, national traditions, history, and the landmarks of their regions.”
Each day, participants met with the Forum’s curators. They included Sergey Bezrukov (Artistic Director of the Moscow Provincial Theater, People’s Artist of Russia), Evgeny Mironov (Artistic Director of the Theatre of Nations, People’s Artist of Russia), and Edgard Zapashny (General Director of the Great Moscow State Circus, People’s Artist of Russia), who oversaw the Theatre and Circus direction. Kristina Trubinova (General Director of the Bakhrushin Central Theater Museum) led Museums and Fine Arts; Yegor Druzhinin (choreographer, Honored Artist of Russia) led Choreography; Dmitry Bak (Director of the State Museum of the History of Russian Literature) led Literature and Journalism; Gavriil Gordeev (General Producer of Okko and founder of the International Festival of Children’s and Family Films and Animation Medvezhonok) led Cinema and Animation; and Olga Khomova (General Director of the St. Petersburg State Academic Capella, Honored Cultural Worker of Russia) led Music.
The Children’s Initiatives Competition, dedicated this year to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, received 41 submissions from 35 Russian regions. The shortlist included projects from the Omsk, Vladimir, Leningrad, Tomsk, Tyumen, and Samara regions; Moscow; St. Petersburg; the Donetsk People’s Republic; the Republic of Kalmykia; the Republic of Crimea; Stavropol and Altai Territories; and Kemerovo Region. Minister Olga Lyubimova awarded four winners: “The Streets of My City” by Alexandra Udovichenko (Republic of Crimea); the animated film project “Ryzhik from ’41” by Margarita Akulova (Omsk Region); the media project “The Cultural Code of Victory” by Serafima Khlopushina (Samara Region); and “Victory Lives in Every Heart” by Nikita Selyaninov (Tyumen Region).
In the hackathon “The Cultural Brand of a Region Through the Eyes of Youth”, participants explored the meaning of a cultural brand, discussed the factors that shape regional identity, and proposed ways to promote it locally and nationally. Projects were judged on technological innovation, creativity, uniqueness, feasibility, and social significance. The winning team, Orkestro from the Volga Federal District, presented the original and ambitious project “A City with History, Ready for Change.”
The Forum also hosted the joint campaign “Letter to a Soldier” organized by the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of Russia. Participants met Heroes of Russia Pavel Kolomatsky and Pavel Grishin and wrote heartfelt messages to servicemen currently defending the country.
This year’s traditional Forum art installation was titled “House of Culture.” Developed under the guidance of faculty from the Surikov Moscow State Academic Art Institute, every detail of the installation became a self-contained work of art: foam “bricks” came alive with lines from great poets, phrases from beloved films, quotes from legendary cultural figures, and familiar images.
The Forum also featured a rich concert program, including the Loktev Song and Dance Ensemble; the vocal-literary concert “Songs of Victory” by Sergey Zhilin’s Phonograph ensemble; the traditional colorful show “Round Dance of Friendship”, where groups from Russian regions and foreign delegations performed national songs and dances; and the now-established KED Concert by Yegor Druzhinin’s team. The IV International Children’s Cultural Forum concluded with a gala concert on the Palace’s open-air stage featuring the band Respublika.
Over its three days, the Forum hosted 107 events, bringing together 120 speakers, 29 partner organizations, and 8 regional ensembles. Participants took part in master classes and discussions, joined an art school, attended creative workshops and excursions. Nearly 250 media representatives covered the events, along with the youth press association YUNPRESS, which interviewed speakers and participants, reported on activities, and created content for social media.
General partners: Russian Cultural Foundation (ООГО), Union State Festival Creativity of the Young.
General media partners: TASS (general information partner), Gazprom-Media (general media partner).
Official social network: VKontakte.
Information partners: TV channel Rossiya Kultura; national children’s and family channel Karusel; Children’s Radio; Radio Kultura; Radio Orpheus; NYUM TASS; Rambler; and the youth media association YUNPRESS.
