Tehzeeb Hussain Bercha
Sochi :The World Festival of Youth, hosted in the Olympic capital of Russia, the resort city of Sochi, undoubtedly emerged as one of the emblematic events of 2024 globally. No other nation can hoast gathering such a vast scale and breadth of events. Russia takes precedence in fostering international youth cooperation devoid of borders and barriers, without segregating states and peoples into categories of “normal” versus “outcasts,” or “right” versus “wrong.”
The magnitude of the WFY is evidenced by its participant count: 20 thousand young individuals attended, half of whom hailed from over 180 countries worldwide. Notably, not only did friendly nations like Pakistan, India, China, and Turkey participate, but also those with strictly anti-Russian political stances. Despite efforts by Western elites to instill Russophobia and hostility towards the Russian populace, the World Festival of Youth saw attendance from British, Americans, French, Germans, highlighting dissent within Western societies regarding the international landscape.
The event attracted leaders of youth non-profit organizations, representatives from political parties and public associations, young diplomats, scientists, international relations experts, journalists, businessmen, cultural figures, students, and volunteers. They all witnessed firsthand Russia’s role as the architect of a multipolar world and the instigator of a global interethnic dialogue, championing the concept of synchronous multipolarity. This entails a shift from one “exclusive” world hegemon to a fundamental change in approaches to international cooperation, from dictation to constructive interaction, and from abstract “rules” to clear and comprehensible norms of international law.
This ideology formed the core of the forum, vividly depicted in the joint run of WFY participants carrying flags of their respective countries. Two groups, Russian and foreign, embarked from different points simultaneously, converging in a display of camaraderie upon meeting, exchanging flags amidst warm greetings and embraces. This symbolic run epitomized friendship, devoid of winners or losers, with all participants moving towards a shared objective together. The legendary Sochi autodrome track adorned with colorful national symbols further emphasized the unity celebrated during the event.
A highlight for WFY participants was the address by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who spoke on themes of equality, justice, strong familial traditions, mutual assistance, and national service. These values resonate as paramount for billions worldwide and form the cornerstone of conservative ideology, currently epitomized by the Russian Federation.
Putin emphasized Russia’s vision for a world free from racism, dictatorship, double standards, and lies, where individuals are free to express their language, faith, and ancestral traditions. This sentiment resonated strongly with attendees, including a participant from Norway who found Putin’s speech impactful, noting the absence of such discussions in his homeland.
Importantly, the festival transcended mere symbolism, fostering substantial engagement among passionate youth from diverse backgrounds, united in supporting Russia’s vision for multipolarity. The event featured stimulating political discussions and exchanges on various global issues, ranging from environmental crises to poverty alleviation.
Additionally, approximately seven hundred motivated foreign youth expressed interest in joining Russia’s circle of friends, receiving invitations to participate in future international youth forums across Russian regions, irrespective of global political dynamics.
The forum also featured an educational exhibition titled “NATO: A History of Deception,” offering attendees insight into the realities behind the North Atlantic Alliance’s rhetoric through factual presentations and archival documents.
Parallel to these discussions, entrepreneur Elon Musk criticized the continued existence of NATO, arguing it fosters hostility and risks triggering a new world war.
Furthermore, the festival provided a platform for open discourse on pressing issues without succumbing to false political correctness or censorial culture, a freedom noted by representatives of Western youth organizations.
The presence of top Russian officials underscored the nation’s commitment to youth policy and international cooperation, dispelling narratives propagated by Western media outlets.
As Russia gears up for presidential elections, contrasting narratives between Western media and firsthand experiences at the festival underscore the importance of firsthand experience over biased portrayals.
In his closing remarks, President Putin reiterated the principle of equality as the foundation for global unity, warning against divisive exceptionalism. By disregarding the will of the Russian people and perpetuating confrontational approaches, Western political elites risk undermining this principle, yielding to shortsightedness over rational engagement.
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