The “My Belgorod” Events Marathon Brings Together Representatives of the Educational, Public and International Communities
On May 21–22, 2026, the large-scale “My Belgorod” Events Marathon was held in Belgorod, bringing together representatives of five higher education institutions in the city, government authorities, the educational community, international and public organizations, as well as students from countries around the world.
The Marathon provided a platform for international dialogue, cooperation and the strengthening of humanitarian ties, bringing participants together to address issues related to international education, intercultural interaction and youth cooperation.
The distinguished guests of the Marathon included Walid Hamid Shiltagh, Ambassador of the League of Arab States to the Russian Federation; Ali Goutali, former Ambassador of Tunisia to the Russian Federation and a prominent public and international figure; Dr. Khoury Mudallal Mtanyous, Head of the RUSSAR Foundation; and Svetlana Anatolievna Kuznetsova, Chairwoman of the All-Russian Public Movement “We Are Russians” and an expert in cross-cultural communication.
A key element of the programme was a panel discussion held in an open dialogue format, which provided students with an opportunity to address their questions directly to experts. The discussion covered the adaptation of international students, employment and internship opportunities, migration-related issues, support for students facing difficult circumstances, the development of international education, and opportunities for the professional development of international graduates in Russia.
The panel brought together representatives of the Government of the Belgorod Region, university administrators and specialists responsible for international cooperation, representatives of the Migration Affairs Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the Belgorod Region, a delegation from the Assembly of the Peoples of the World, as well as representatives of public and international organizations.
The first day of the Marathon featured an extensive programme of cultural and educational activities. It included exhibitions presented by the Belgorod Regional Branch of the Creative Union of Artists of Russia, the photography exhibition “Russia in Faces” by Mohamed-Abdelazim-Gaballa-Ibrahim Saleh, as well as presentations by the Mahmoud Darwish Center for Arabic Language and Culture, the Chinese Language Center at BelSU, and the Serbian Resource Center, highlighting the cultural diversity and traditions of different countries and peoples.
The programme also included Arabic and Chinese calligraphy workshops, as well as a traditional tea ceremony conducted by students of the International Information Center at BelSU from China, Russia and Arab countries.
The first day concluded with the gala concert “The World on One Stage,” which brought together students from Russia, Haiti, Ecuador, Indonesia, Turkmenistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The concert was dedicated to the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, observed annually on May 21. It emphasized that, despite differences in language, traditions and cultural heritage, people are united by mutual respect, a commitment to cooperation and a shared aspiration to build a common future.
A particularly significant moment of the evening was the presentation of a commemorative medal of the All-Russian Public Movement “We Are Russians” to Dr. Walid Hamid Shiltagh, Ambassador of the League of Arab States to the Russian Federation, in recognition of his significant contribution to the preservation, development and promotion of the culture, ideals and values of Russia’s multinational civilization.
The concert programme featured students and creative groups from Belgorod State Institute of Arts and Culture (BSIAC), Belgorod State University (BelSU), Belgorod University of Economics and Law (BUEL), and V.G. Shukhov Belgorod State Technological University, as well as creative groups from across Belgorod, including the Belgorod Center for Folk Art Dance Ensemble, the Stimul Vocal and Instrumental Ensemble, the BelVoice Ensemble, the Helen and the Kids Vocal Studio, international students, solo performers and university creative groups.
The concert concluded with the performance “White City, We Are With You,” which became a symbolic expression of unity, friendship and solidarity.
The Second Day of the Marathon
The second day of the Marathon comprised a series of meetings and events involving distinguished guests, experts and representatives of the international community.
The programme began with a meeting between the Marathon’s distinguished guests and experts and representatives of the Government of the Belgorod Region, headed by Andrey Viktorovich Milyokhin, Minister of Education of the Belgorod Region.
Held at Belgorod State University, the meeting focused on international cooperation in the fields of education, healthcare, agriculture and entrepreneurship, as well as prospects for further humanitarian and academic cooperation.
During their visit to BelSU, the delegation also visited the Mahmoud Darwish Center for Arabic Language and Culture, where the guests were introduced to the history of the Center, its traditions, and its cultural and educational programmes. Particular attention was paid to cultural exchange and student mobility.
The next university to welcome the delegation as part of the “My Belgorod” Events Marathon was Belgorod University of Cooperation, Economics and Law (BUEL). The Marathon participants met with the university’s administration, faculty members, staff and students.
BUEL hosted a special concert programme for the distinguished guests and Marathon participants, showcasing the region’s cultural and artistic traditions.
Following the university visits, the participants laid flowers at the memorial to the victims of the missile attack of December 30, 2023.
The second day concluded with a visit to the “White Quarter,” a large-scale public and business development project in central Belgorod being implemented as part of an integrated territorial development programme.
The “My Belgorod” Events Marathon once again brought together representatives of the educational, public and international communities, providing an important platform for professional dialogue, strengthening humanitarian ties and promoting international cooperation.
On May 21–22, 2026, the large-scale “My Belgorod” Events Marathon was held in Belgorod, bringing together representatives of five higher education institutions in the city, government authorities, the educational community, international and public organizations, as well as students from countries around the world.
The Marathon provided a platform for international dialogue, cooperation and the strengthening of humanitarian ties, bringing participants together to address issues related to international education, intercultural interaction and youth cooperation.
The distinguished guests of the Marathon included Walid Hamid Shiltagh, Ambassador of the League of Arab States to the Russian Federation; Ali Goutali, former Ambassador of Tunisia to the Russian Federation and a prominent public and international figure; Dr. Khoury Mudallal Mtanyous, Head of the RUSSAR Foundation; and Svetlana Anatolievna Kuznetsova, Chairwoman of the All-Russian Public Movement “We Are Russians” and an expert in cross-cultural communication.
A key element of the programme was a panel discussion held in an open dialogue format, which provided students with an opportunity to address their questions directly to experts. The discussion covered the adaptation of international students, employment and internship opportunities, migration-related issues, support for students facing difficult circumstances, the development of international education, and opportunities for the professional development of international graduates in Russia.
The panel brought together representatives of the Government of the Belgorod Region, university administrators and specialists responsible for international cooperation, representatives of the Migration Affairs Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the Belgorod Region, a delegation from the Assembly of the Peoples of the World, as well as representatives of public and international organizations.
The first day of the Marathon featured an extensive programme of cultural and educational activities. It included exhibitions presented by the Belgorod Regional Branch of the Creative Union of Artists of Russia, the photography exhibition “Russia in Faces” by Mohamed-Abdelazim-Gaballa-Ibrahim Saleh, as well as presentations by the Mahmoud Darwish Center for Arabic Language and Culture, the Chinese Language Center at BelSU, and the Serbian Resource Center, highlighting the cultural diversity and traditions of different countries and peoples.
The programme also included Arabic and Chinese calligraphy workshops, as well as a traditional tea ceremony conducted by students of the International Information Center at BelSU from China, Russia and Arab countries.
The first day concluded with the gala concert “The World on One Stage,” which brought together students from Russia, Haiti, Ecuador, Indonesia, Turkmenistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The concert was dedicated to the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, observed annually on May 21. It emphasized that, despite differences in language, traditions and cultural heritage, people are united by mutual respect, a commitment to cooperation and a shared aspiration to build a common future.
A particularly significant moment of the evening was the presentation of a commemorative medal of the All-Russian Public Movement “We Are Russians” to Dr. Walid Hamid Shiltagh, Ambassador of the League of Arab States to the Russian Federation, in recognition of his significant contribution to the preservation, development and promotion of the culture, ideals and values of Russia’s multinational civilization.
The concert programme featured students and creative groups from Belgorod State Institute of Arts and Culture (BSIAC), Belgorod State University (BelSU), Belgorod University of Economics and Law (BUEL), and V.G. Shukhov Belgorod State Technological University, as well as creative groups from across Belgorod, including the Belgorod Center for Folk Art Dance Ensemble, the Stimul Vocal and Instrumental Ensemble, the BelVoice Ensemble, the Helen and the Kids Vocal Studio, international students, solo performers and university creative groups.
The concert concluded with the performance “White City, We Are With You,” which became a symbolic expression of unity, friendship and solidarity.
The Second Day of the Marathon
The second day of the Marathon comprised a series of meetings and events involving distinguished guests, experts and representatives of the international community.
The programme began with a meeting between the Marathon’s distinguished guests and experts and representatives of the Government of the Belgorod Region, headed by Andrey Viktorovich Milyokhin, Minister of Education of the Belgorod Region.
Held at Belgorod State University, the meeting focused on international cooperation in the fields of education, healthcare, agriculture and entrepreneurship, as well as prospects for further humanitarian and academic cooperation.
During their visit to BelSU, the delegation also visited the Mahmoud Darwish Center for Arabic Language and Culture, where the guests were introduced to the history of the Center, its traditions, and its cultural and educational programmes. Particular attention was paid to cultural exchange and student mobility.
The next university to welcome the delegation as part of the “My Belgorod” Events Marathon was Belgorod University of Cooperation, Economics and Law (BUEL). The Marathon participants met with the university’s administration, faculty members, staff and students.
BUEL hosted a special concert programme for the distinguished guests and Marathon participants, showcasing the region’s cultural and artistic traditions.
Following the university visits, the participants laid flowers at the memorial to the victims of the missile attack of December 30, 2023.
The second day concluded with a visit to the “White Quarter,” a large-scale public and business development project in central Belgorod being implemented as part of an integrated territorial development programme.
The “My Belgorod” Events Marathon once again brought together representatives of the educational, public and international communities, providing an important platform for professional dialogue, strengthening humanitarian ties and promoting international cooperation.