Year of Unity of Russia's Peoples Kicks Off

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the Year of Unity of Russia's Peoples in Moscow. The event brought together over four thousand people—representatives of more than 190 peoples of our country, young people in vibrant national costumes representing creative groups, athletes, and public activists. All 89 regions of the Russian Federation participated via video link in the solemn opening ceremony of the Year of Unity of Russia's Peoples. "How Russia was born, how our ethnic groups were born, including the Russians as a nation and people—that's what President Vladimir Putin noted in his speech. It emerged from various Slavic ethnic groups that lived separately from each other, and they united only when they shared a common territory, common economic interests, a single authority, and unified spiritual values. The Russian people are still a young people, passionate and forward-looking," emphasized Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Gradually, our multinational country Russia took shape on the same foundations as different peoples joined it. What was important and interesting, what was most crucial? Endless respect for the peoples joining Russia, full respect for their culture and traditions, their spiritual values. Over the centuries, our values became shared. Outwardly, they certainly differ from each other—and that's very important, that's good, that must be supported—but the core values are common," noted Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The marathon is taking place today across the country," the president emphasized. "When you look at the hall and the stage, you feel amazement and delight. Amazement at this diversity and delight that we are all together."

Russian President Putin declared 2026 the Year of Unity of Russia's Peoples. The initiative was proposed by Ataman of the All-Russian Cossack Society Vitaly Kuznetsov at a meeting of the Council on Interethnic Relations. He stressed that unity and interethnic peace remain the most important conditions for the country's development.

Throughout the day, at the National Center "Russia"—where the solemn opening of the Year of Unity of Russia's Peoples took place—lectures and open dialogues were held by prominent state figures, scholars, Heroes of Russia, cultural representatives, and athletes. The focus was on the importance of the unity of Russia's peoples, shared cultural heritage and traditions, courage, and defense of the Motherland.

During the Moscow marathon, guests took part in both sports and creative competitions, watched documentaries about the nature and history of unique regions like Altai, the Russian North, and Kamchatka.

In the folk literature library, visitors explored a collection of works by outstanding writers from various peoples of Russia. Curious events unfolded in the Gastronomic Rows, where the team of chefs from the "Gastronomic Map of Russia" project shared stories about the culinary traditions of Russia's peoples and treated guests to various delicacies.

The day of the solemn opening of the Year of Unity of Russia's Peoples concluded with a festive concert featuring famous artists, folk, and ethnographic groups from all federal districts of Russia. Among them were Nadezhda Katysheva and the "Golden Ring" ensemble, Tatiana Kurtukova, Miravi, Mia Boyka, Ay Yola, the Russian folk dance group "Rus," and the Buryat ethno-center "Nomin."

Unity and continuity of traditions, shared historical and cultural values—these are the main topics that will be discussed throughout the year at such meetings. How much new and interesting we will all learn about our country, its nature, and most importantly, its people.