Mas-wrestling will be a part of the main event for youth and students from all over the world!

This decision was made by the World Federation of the Democratic Youth and international students’ organizations on February 7, 2016, at the consultation meeting on the host country of the 19th Festival. Russia hosted the festival twice in its Soviet period of history - in 1957 (VI festival) and in 1985 (XII festival). VI World Festival of 1957 held in Moscow was the largest one in terms of the number of participants in the history of the festival movement.

The Festival is aimed at consolidating the youth around the idea of justice, strengthening international ties, as well as promoting international and intercultural cooperation.

Following the history of the festival movement, the 19th Festival will open a new phase in international cooperation and unite future generations behind the idea of peace and friendship.

As in previous years, the Festival's emblem is a colorful chamomile, which stands for the continuity of traditions, intergenerational ties, the peace and unity of the entire international community. The central elements of the 19th Festival's emblem are colorful pixels that symbolize the common interests of the world's youth in the era of information technologies and technological progress. Diverse views and opinions is the main distinguishing feature of the 19th Festival of Youth and Students.

The Festival is a platform for dialogue and a form of international communication. Discussions, a cultural program, sporting competitions and an open dialogue within the framework of this event will help its participants to find a response to the challenges facing young people today.

The Festival's discussion program includes various platforms, namely panel discussion, open lectures and scientific conferences. The key issues on the preliminary agenda are as follows: "Culture and globalization", "Global economy", "Knowledge economy", "Social institutions' development" and "Politics and international security".

More than 20 000 young people from 150 countries will participate in the Festival. The Festival's working languages are the 6 official languages of the United Nations.

The platform will gather young leaders from various spheres: representatives of youth NGOs, young journalists, artists and sportsmen, leaders of youth organizations and political parties, young professors and scientists, as well as compatriots and foreigners who study Russian language and are interested in Russian culture.

The Festival's International Media Centre has been set up on November 1, 2016. It is comprised of young journalists and bloggers from all over the world. They will cover the preparation for the Festival and its major events.

A large volunteer corps will assist in organizing the Festival. It will consist of 7 000 volunteers, including foreign citizens.

We are pleased to announce that the Organizing Committee approved the inclusion of mas-wrestling into the program of the festival. In October, the whole world will see our mas-wrestling on the platforms of the global world youth event. Mas-wrestling, a native sport of the most northern region of Russia, will get another opportunity to be recognized in all countries of the world, because to try their hands at mas-wrestling can anyone, and the best media will cover all the events of the Festival.

Now the organizers of the Festival events discuss the format of their conduct. Sporting events will carry mainly as a presentation. The aim - many young people could participate in them. Platforms for familiarization with a unique sport "mas-wrestling", planned to organize a few.

We call on all our friends, mas-wrestlers in the regions of Russia and abroad, who wish to become a part of the World Festival of Youth and Students, register on the official website of the Festival http://russia2017.com/#/members/reg. And try to get in the delegations of their regions and countries. Registration has already begun, we wish you good luck and see you in Sochi!

Application forms are accepted from young people aged 18-35. Accommodation and food costs during the Festival shall be covered by the organizers. The sending party shall cover the travel expenses to Sochi and back. Arrangement of charter flights from various countries to Sochi is currently under consideration.

Participants of the Festival will get permission for a visa-free entry to the Russian Federation.

The latest information about preparations for the Festival is available on the official website: http://russia2017.com/, as well as on the Festival's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wfys2017/