# Russia's Youth Festival Propaganda

> Russia's International Festival of Youth uses dance and tech to spread state propaganda to 10,000 global youth.
- Title: Russia's Youth Festival Propaganda · Mother Jones | Shortify
- Summary: Russia's International Festival of Youth uses dance and tech to spread state propaganda to 10,000 global youth.
- Keywords: international festival of youth, russia, yekaterinburg, several countries, state propaganda, dance performances, deepfakes, viral content, matushka zemlya, cheburashka, Russia's, Youth
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/10/the-delirious-dance-heavy-propaganda-of-russias-international-festival-of-youth
- Author: Anna Merlan
- Published: 2026-10-09T11:36:38+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: international festival of youth, russia, yekaterinburg, several countries, state propaganda, dance performances, deepfakes, viral content, matushka zemlya, cheburashka
## Russia's International Festival of Youth
Russia's state-backed International Festival of Youth brought 10,000 young people aged 14-35 from 190 countries to Yekaterinburg.
## Steven Seagal's Putin Support
Steven Seagal, an American-born actor and Putin supporter, called Putin his 'biggest hero' at the festival.

> Russia, we’re not interested in conquering anybody. We’re just interested in protecting our borders and our people.
## State-Sponsored Propaganda
The festival was sponsored by Russia's state-owned companies including Rosatom and Sberbank, with TASS and RT as information partners.
## Propaganda Focus
The festival's website claims borders are blurred and cultures work together to make the world a better place.

> Here, borders are blurred, and cultures and professional communities come together to work towards a common goal, to make the world a better place.
## Artem Zhoga's Panel
Artem Zhoga, a military officer who participated in Ukraine invasion, spoke about deepfakes and quoting words out of context.

> Artem Zhoga is a military officer who participated in the invasion of Ukraine and is increasingly part of the country’s power structure.
## Festival's Propaganda Claims
The festival claims interaction among 10,000 participants creates a natural fact-checking mechanism against misinformation.

> The festival itself 'is a tool against fakes,' claiming that 'interaction among around 10,000 participants from different parts of Russia and the world creates a natural fact-checking mechanism.'
## Attendees' Social Media
International attendees shared social media content proclaiming Russia as open and welcoming, with videos of festival merch.

> I met a different Russia than the media talks about. To me, Russia is an experience that stays with you and never leaves.
## Internet Access for Foreigners
Foreign attendees received unrestricted internet access to share festival content globally, while domestic attendees did not.

> Foreign guests received unrestricted internet access so they could promote the festival to audiences in other countries.
## Soviet Legacy
The festival has roots in Soviet-era efforts to improve international reputation after military interventions.

> The 1957 World Youth Festival of Youth and Students took place during a Khrushchev-era thaw in the Cold War.
## Key takeaway

Russia's International Festival of Youth promotes state propaganda to 10,000 young people from 190 countries.