The VII International Student Forum “Dialogue of Cultures” was held in Penza Regional Philharmonic Hall on Friday, 2 March 2018. This year it became a part of the First International Festival of Youth and Students “Lastochka” (Swallow).

“It is a significant event. On the initiative of Ivan Belozertsev, Governor of the Penza region, we are opening and holding the First International Festival of Youth in the Penza region,” Nikolay Simonov, Chairman of the Government of the Penza region, addressed the participants at the opening ceremony.

The event was opened with a grand parade of flags.

“The Forum “Dialogue of Cultures” is the best indication that our country is the centre uniting all nations. Russia aspires and does everything to keep the peace on our planet. It’s very cool that one stage comprises 47 flags!” Nikolay Simonov added.

“Penza is like a big house where the representatives of many nationalities and peoples live in peace and harmony. We have once again seen that Penza is a city of beautiful, intelligent and motivated people! I hope that the festival days will be memorable,” Viktor Kuvaytsev, Head of Penza City Administration, welcomed the participants.

The programme of the forum was vivid and exciting.

“Today each of you has a unique opportunity to become acquainted, make friends, and present your cultures. Such events testify that the Earth is enormous. Just imagine how boring it would be if only people of one nationality lived on the planet!” Aleksandr Gulyakov, Rector of PSU, highlighted.

Yury Bykadorov, Head of the Youth Projects and Programmes Department at the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Rosmolodezh (Russian Youth), described the Penza festival as a follow-up of the festival in Sochi. “I am sure that every year this site will attract far more flags,” he noted.

The honored guests from India, Jordan and other countries came specially to participate in the forum.

“Use the student days for friendship,” Al-Qudakh Muhanad Kassim Muhammed, Head of the Department of Professional Relations and Information in the Ministry of Education of Jordan, addressed students. He also thanked the regional and university authorities for creating a favourable environment for education and residence of international students.

10 themed sites were opened for the participants and guests of the forum where they could take master classes of carving and braiding, making bouquets of sweets, and glass painting.