The applications for the World Youth Festival (WYF) Assembly have officially opened, set to take place from September 17–21, 2025, in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
The announcement was made during a celebratory event marking the Festival’s anniversary at Luminar X in Moscow.
Kenya is among the participating nations at the WYF Assembly, which will bring together 2,000 participants—1,000 from Russia and 1,000 from around the world, including 200 children to continue the momentum of international youth cooperation fostered by WYF 2024, which hosted 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries in Sirius.
The event will also engage 200 volunteers from across Russia. Applications can be submitted via https://asm.wyffest.com/en/ and will remain open until July 20, 2025.
Organised under the theme “We Are the Youth of the World,” the Assembly will serve as a key follow-up to WYF 2024 and is part of a broader initiative announced by President Vladimir Putin to institutionalise international youth collaboration through regular festivals and annual events in Russia.
Speaking during the launch of the 2025 event, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate Dmitry Ivanov said the World Youth Festival has become a new milestone in the development of a global youth community aimed at consolidation together with Russia.
“The Festival’s success and the further intensification of international youth cooperation resulted from teamwork between organisers and over 300 partners across the country. I express my gratitude to all those who contributed to it, making this event truly unforgettable”, said Ivanov.
He adds, “We have got many more events ahead of us that will unite young leaders from different countries in Russia and further strengthen ties among youth, who hold our shared future in their hands. This year will feature the WYF Assembly, a major international event, co-created by young people themselves and partners across various economic sectors”.
On his part, Deputy Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Oleg Berkovich said that they are getting ready to host the World Youth Festival Assembly this September, highlighting the rich history, unique landmarks, the region has to show participants on the real Russia through hospitality, cultural heritage, modern technology, and picturesque landscapes.
“The Nizhny Novgorod Region is getting ready to host the World Youth Festival Assembly this September. This event will mark a significant stage in the development of international youth cooperation, uniting young leaders from different countries and fields. Our region was the first to receive the ‘Youth Capital’ status and will now be the first to host the World Youth Festival Assembly”, he stated.
“We have a rich history, unique landmarks, and we will show participants the real Russia through our hospitality, cultural heritage, modern technology, and picturesque landscapes. I am confident this will strengthen friendly ties and open up new opportunities for youth”. He added.
WYF Anniversary celebrations in Moscow
On April 16, Moscow’s immersive art space Luminar X hosted the World Youth Festival’s anniversary celebration.
The event featured the presentation of the WYF Assembly, scheduled to take place in Nizhny Novgorod in September 2025 on the instructions of the President.
The celebration began with the interactive installation “Windows of the World”, symbolising windows from different countries. Thanks to the World Youth Festival, the walls between these windows disappear, uniting youth globally.
“The World Youth Festival has greatly promoted international youth cooperation. By 2030, international events in our country will have brought together over 38,000 young people from around the world as part of the ‘Russia in the World’ federal project under the national project ‘Youth and Children’, launched at the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin. We plan to host WYF assemblies and forums alongside the Festival itself. Today, Russia’s experience in youth policy draws international attention, and we are ready to share this experience, strengthening Russia’s leading position in this important field”, said Grigory Gurov, Head of Rosmolodezh.
Over 300 partners across the country made the World Youth Festival possible. Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate, awarded them with commemorative medals “World Youth Festival 2024.”
Representatives from Aeroflot, Russian Post, Rossotrudnichestvo, Rosseti, Sibur, Promsvyazbank, Soyuzmultfilm, and RT were awarded for their contribution to the WYF 2024.
The event presentation allowed foreign and Russian WYF 2024 participants and Directorate partners to dive into the atmosphere of the World Youth Festival Assembly, centered around the “Russia Brings Warmth” concept.
It showcases Russia as a hub of friendship and cooperation, creating a warm atmosphere for building international connections, fostering partnerships in youth projects, warming hearts and inspiring great achievements.
The Assembly programme focuses on seven thematic tracks: education, culture, support from business, sport, history, media, and traditions.
The business programme will feature unique formats designed together with participants, volunteers, and partners, including immersive shows, workshops, masterclasses, and discussion battles on pressing youth-related issues.
Participants will also enjoy bonding events, such as creating the world’s largest painting, an international gastronomy picnic, and Russian winter sports.
The highlight of the evening was the World Youth Festival Assembly application campaign launch for participants and volunteers.
It was announced by Kirill Litvinov, Aide to the Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the WYF Directorate, Alexander Alimov, Director of the Department for Multilateral Humanitarian Cooperation and Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, and Artem Metelev, Chairman of the “DOBRO.RF” Association and Chairman of the State Duma Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Youth Policy. The first application was submitted live from New York by a young American.
Festival participants and guests once again enjoyed the official WYF 2024 song performed by the family duo NANSI & SIDOROV. Aelita Sidorova-Belyavskaya, their little daughter, performed the song “Let There Always Be Sunshine!” The event also marked the launch of a competition for a new WYF official song.
Event partners included the Russian Music Union, SoyuzMultPark, and the Sun of Moscow. The multimedia space “SoyuzMultPark” created a fairytale atmosphere for foreign participants, inviting them to dive into the world of Russian cartoons and characters like Cheburashka, WYF 2024 mascot. Another highlight of the night was a ride on Europe’s largest Ferris wheel “Sun of Moscow”. To conclude the celebration, it transformed into a light installation glowing with the colors of the World Youth Festival.
Regular hosting of WYF events in Russia
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.
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.
