🎙 President Vladimir Putin's address to the participants in the opening ceremony of the World Youth Festival

💬 Our country has already held three of these large youth forums, and each time they confirmed that there are no borders or dividing lines for younger generations. Here you can interact with whomever you wish and find the knowledge and experience you need.

This was proven by the hundreds of thousands of applications to take part in the festival that we received from 190 countries. The only thing we regret is not being able to accept all of them.

Right now, representatives of almost 300 ethnic groups are gathered here, on this stage. Here in Russia, we know very well how valuable this diversity is, and what a powerful driver of progress and mutual spiritual enrichment it is. <...>

☝️ Multi-ethnic unity is our supreme value, and it has largely shaped the principles by which our state and society live and develop today.

I am speaking about equality and justice, traditions of a strong family and mutual assistance, about serving one’s Fatherland and feeling responsibility for its destiny. I know that these values are shared by the vast majority of the Earth’s inhabitants.

This is why we must take care of them and defend them together, fulfil our dreams together, and help each other to make the lives of billions of people better. We must work together for the generations to come, fight poverty and terrorism, diseases and drug trafficking, preserve the unique natural riches, cultural heritage, and all the beauty and diversity of the planet.

This world has no place for racism, dictatorship, double standards or lies, and people are free to speak their language and follow the beliefs and traditions of their ancestors. <...>

🤝 I am confident that you will get a colossal charge of positive emotion from the festival and return home with love for Russia.

Read in full