One of the key projects for young compatriots living abroad is the program of cultural and educational trips to historical sites of the Russian Federation “Hello, Russia!”, which Rossotrudnichestvo has been implementing since 2014.
Every year hundreds of teenagers aged 14 to 19 from near and far abroad take part in it. All of them are winners of various competitions for knowledge of the Russian language, national history and culture. The aim of the program is to educate a new generation of Russian compatriots abroad in the spirit of love for Russia, as well as to preserve their linguistic and ethno–cultural identity.
During their stay in Russia, teenagers visit the main cultural and natural attractions of Russian regions, higher educational institutions and industrial facilities, get acquainted with the life of modern Russian society, immerse themselves in the multinational culture of our country, practice the Russian language and find new friends among peers from all over the world.
In 2022, 533 young compatriots from 31 countries became participants of the program. In the period from July to August, they visited the Pskov and Samara regions, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, as well as the international children’s center “Artek” (Republic of Crimea), the All-Russian children’s center “Smena” (Krasnodar Territory) and the site of the Art cluster “Tavrida” (Republic of Crimea).
In 2023, the number of venues for the program was doubled. More than 540 participants from 36 countries have already visited the Sverdlovsk Region, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the Republic of Tatarstan, Tula Region, the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, Altai Krai, Artek Sports Center (Republic of Crimea) and the Republic of Dagestan. In August of this year, about 130 more young compatriots will visit the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, the Samara Region and St. Petersburg. Read more in the news.