Modesty, Beauty, and Impressive Scale: International Participants of the “Creating the Future” Symposium Share Impressions of Russia

The international “Creating the Future” Symposium brought together participants from 100 countries. Over three days, they not only engaged in thematic sessions and discussions but also experienced Russia, got to know its people, and enjoyed the beauty of the capital. This left a lasting impression on every foreign guest.

One of the most pleasant and accurate descriptions of the people of Russia came from an Indian participant. “The first thing that impressed me upon arriving in Russia was the modesty, friendliness, and willingness of people to help. Moreover, I feel a closeness to your wonderful culture and traditions, and I think the Symposium will help many better understand Russia,” noted Milan Kumar Lal, a senior researcher at the Rice Institute.

John Molera, a resident of the United States and Director of Policy and Research at DD Geopolitics, countered negative stereotypes about Russia and its people. He is confident that the advice to avoid traveling to Russia, often given in his home country, is unfounded, as visitors are welcomed here with open hearts and arms. “I feel at home here. It is a very special place, warm and welcoming. I feel part of this community. Moscow is an incredible mix of history and vision, reflecting the new multipolar world forming before our eyes. At this critical moment, as the world rapidly shifts from a unipolar order dominated by Western powers and the United States, Moscow is once again becoming the heart of humanity,” said John Molera.

The uniqueness, striking appearance, and fascinating history of Russia’s capital impressed many international guests. They had the chance to explore Moscow independently or during river and bus tours. “Moscow is a very special city. During the tour, I thought about how this city experienced the revolution in 1917, yet its beauty remained unaffected. There is an incredible blend of ancient architecture and skyscrapers. I am delighted to have had the chance to visit and see such beautiful places,” said Umesh Kumar Rustagi, a guest from India.

Some guests were inspired by Moscow not only for its beauty and scale but also for its chocolate, with the famous “Red October” confectionery factory located in the city. “I really liked Moscow, especially at night, all lit up. It was interesting to see the historic center: the chocolate factory impressed me, and I immediately wanted to buy candies. Moscow’s buildings amaze with their scale, as do the monuments, with the Peter the Great monument leaving a particularly strong impression,” shared Yun Liu from China.

The National Center “Russia” was established by order of President Vladimir Putin to preserve the legacy of the International Exhibition-Forum “Russia” and showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens on a permanent basis. The center’s work involves federal government bodies, state-owned companies, corporations, and regions.

The first event at the National Center “Russia” was the international “Creating the Future” symposium, attended by more than 6,000 guests from 101 countries.