The first CIS Creative Youth Camp, Mayak Severa (The Lighthouse of the North), is being held in the Komi Republic, Russian Federation.
The unique forum has brought together around 100 students and young cultural and creative professionals aged 18 to 35 from the CIS member states and regions of Russia. The camp will serve as a platform for strengthening ties among young people in the creative sector and providing an opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultures of fraternal nations.
CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev sent greetings to the organisers, participants and guests of the Creative Youth Camp.
The address noted that the CIS is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2026. Throughout these years, youth policy has remained one of the priorities of the Commonwealth’s activities. The CIS Council on Youth Affairs and Youth Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member States have been working purposefully in this area.
“Each year, the Commonwealth expands opportunities for young people to realise their potential, including through targeted support for active and creative young people who care about their own future and that of their countries. A number of engaging platforms have been created within the CIS for young people to communicate and connect, cultural and educational projects are being implemented, and international competitions and festivals are being held,” the address reads.
These include the Interstate Program “Cultural Capitals of the Commonwealth”, the international projects "Youth Capital of the CIS" and “100 Ideas for the CIS”, the competition for the International Award “Commonwealth of Debuts”, and the Youth Delphic Games of the CIS Member States. Support is also provided to annual events such as the Symposium of Students from Creative Universities of the CIS, the Forum of Young Cinema of the CIS, Georgia, and the Baltic States “Umut”, and others.
“These events and projects aimed at unlocking the creative potential of the younger generation are complemented by the youth camp in the Komi Republic,” Sergey Lebedev said.
He expressed confidence that the unique atmosphere and rich programme of the youth camp would become a powerful source of inspiration and generate new ideas and initiatives for the development of cultural cooperation across the Commonwealth.