Let's meet you! Participants of the festival “Youth for the Union State” arrived in Mogilev

Mogilev meets participants of the XIX festival “Youth for the Union State”, which takes place in the regional center from 7 to 11 October. The initiative brought together more than 200 young talents aged 14 to 25 from Belarus and Russia on one platform.

The program of the festival began today, October 7, with a cultural program and informal acquaintance, as well as the draw of participants in the contest of performers of youth song and dance. 14-year-old Polina Lysenko from Rostov-on-Don (Russia) came as part of the choreographic studio “Agiotage”. On the first day of the creative forum, she got acquainted with the Belarusian culture and sights of Mogilev. Impressed by the beauty of the city and the cleanliness around, shares the participant:

- This is our first time at such a large and representative festival, and first of all, it is a good experience that helps you not to be afraid of the audience and the stage, freely express yourself in dance, liberate yourself and convey emotions to the viewer. It is interesting to see other groups, both Russian and Belarusian. We came not only for new impressions, but also for victory!

Eleven-grader Karina Kolpakova from Ufa on the big festival stage will present a solo performance. She has been engaged in choreography since the first grade, but she came to such a union event for the first time - she brought two numbers with Bashkir dances and hopes to conquer the jury with a unique folk color:

- I am very glad that I passed the selection and will participate, and also wanted to visit Belarus. By the way, here is really very tasty potatoes with a characteristic sweetish taste. It is very interesting to get acquainted with the national Belarusian dance, to see the performance of local groups. Culture brings people together and it is an important part of our lives. It is especially important to communicate with young people who have a common historical past.

Veronika Luksha from Brest will perform at the festival with an exemplary ensemble of pop dance “Prestige”. I came to the forum for new impressions, bright emotions and positive experience. It’s great to spend a few days in such a creative atmosphere:

I have been dancing since I was four years old and I am now 14 years old. I want to connect my professional life with choreography, so I appreciate every festival experience. I would love to watch the performances of other artists, because we are united by one favorite thing – dancing. Belarusians and Russians should maintain friendly relations in everything – in creativity, in the economy, and in the social sphere.

The delegation of the Belgorod region arrived in Mogilev with a representative composition of 14 participants and three leaders. Folk dance ensemble "Rodnik" will perform at the festival for the first time, the stronger the excitement and higher the responsibility. Curator and choreographer Olga Shastina says:

- The festival attracts with its “union” format and unifying message – correct in the conditions of modern realities. For our children, this is a creative experience and exchange, communication in the context of the cultural heritage of the two countries. I believe that folk dance carries a cultural code that connects us with our ancestors. It is important and responsible to pass it on to young people today, because it is our history and memory.

The main director of the festival Nikolai Krupatin stressed that many young artists entrusted their work to the jury. The task is not to choose the best, but to motivate all participants to reach a qualitatively new professional level. The festival is not only a competitive program and healthy competition, but also a unique experience and cultural exchange that helps the artist to grow professionally and mature.

The festival “Youth for the Union State” has been held since 2006 on the initiative of the deputies of the Parliamentary Assembly. For a long time it was held in Russia, but in 2025 the creative forum was first hosted by Belarus – the venue was Mogilev. In 2026, the festival will again be organized on Mogilev land. The opening ceremony will be held on October 8 at the Mogilev Regional Methodological Center for Folk Art and Cultural and Educational Work.

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