In the first days of spring, the federal territory of Sirius hosted more than 20,000 participants who travelled to Russia from all over the world to attend the World Youth Festival.
The delegates were the brightest representatives of business, media, international cooperation, culture, sports, charity and volunteering.
Volga Region University was represented at the festival by Dilyara Bashirova, senior lecturer of the Department of Theory and Methodology of Physical Education and Sports, Hodor Hamdan, a student from Lebanon, and Konstantin Maximov, a student who went to the festival as a volunteer.
To participate in the festival, one had to pass the selection process: write an essay, tell about one's achievements, as well as pass an interview and a test on the knowledge of national history.
"This is the first time I have participated in such a large-scale festival. Not only the huge number of guests from different countries is impressive here, but also the huge educational programme, where there are a lot of activities. There is an opportunity to make your own schedule and attend only what is interesting to you. Most often I go to lectures and activities with a sports theme. The speakers are so interesting to the participants that sometimes you have to queue five hours before the event starts! - says Dilyara Bashirova. - Foreigners and participants from other regions of Russia note that the delegation of Tatarstan is always noticeable - we are really well prepared, wear our branded outfits every day and delight others with our sociability. The values of the festival are centred on the fact that the meaning is in each of us. And we felt it not only at the festival itself, but also within our friendly delegation".
Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, met with the delegation of Tatarstan during the festival. Tatarstan was represented at the festival by 225 delegates and 82 volunteers. The republic has its own Kazan pavilion - only five regions have such a pavilion.
"As a volunteer, I helped to ensure the work of the media in the Sirius Science and Art Park. Not only participants but also volunteers were selected for the festival: the competition was eight people per place! I really wanted to be part of such an event and now I am doubly happy because I helped to organise it. The festival was an invaluable experience of interacting with people and working in a different region and climate. I recommend everyone to take part in something like this - it can change the way you think," summarised Konstantin Maximov.
Text: Daria Bezzubova
