The official press service of the Kemerovo region administration, citing Governor Sergei Tsivilev, notes that the celebrations followed the conclusion of World War II and highlights the ongoing collaboration across nations. It confirms that the International Yuri Gagarin Festival brings together workers’ cities from across Russia and 19 other countries, creating a broad, multi-city network of cultural exchange, science engagement, and civic pride that transcends borders.
“Last year marked the launch of the first international Yuri Gagarin festival, and this year every one of the 53 notable labor cities within the Russian Federation took part. I extend my heartfelt congratulations on this holiday,” Tsivilev stated. He emphasized that the festival embodies a shared commitment to peace, the advancement of civilization, and the friendship of all peoples, urging continued collaboration and mutual understanding among communities at home and abroad.
II. The “Space Week” segment of the International Yuri Gagarin Festival culminated in the grand “Time of Winners” gala concerts, a celebration that looked to the future with a wide, aspirational lens. The performances unfolded in tandem at two prominent venues—the KuZbass Ice Palace in Kemerovo and the Kuznetsk Metallurgists Arena—creating a coordinated, city-spanning atmosphere of festivity and achievement. In Novokuznetsk, the event featured a performance by Oleg Korolenko, adding a regional highlight to the array of appearances.
The gala audience included representatives from the state-run Roscosmos, leaders from the laboring cities, and renowned cosmonauts, all sharing the stage with a blend of officialdom and popular culture. The program was guided by celebrated entertainers from Russia, with Honored Artists of the Russian Federation Alexander Oleshko and Dmitry Dyuzhev lending their presence and energy to the proceedings. Delegations arrived from 19 countries, including Armenia, India, the People’s Republic of China, and Kazakhstan, reinforcing the festival’s role as a bridge among cultures and scientific communities.
A special moment for attendees occurred when the festival hymn—composed by Yuri Gagarin for a historic occasion—was performed for the first time by a combined choir featuring children and youth. It was a symbolic nod to the enduring appeal of space exploration and the inspirational figure of Gagarin across generations, and it accentuated the shared sense of wonder that unites participants and spectators alike.
Within the broader program of the festival, performances and presentations spanned multiple disciplines and communities. In Kemerovo, the stage welcomed the voice of SHAMAN and the expressive ballet piece by Alla Dukhovaya’s TODES troupe, while in Novokuznetsk, audiences were treated to a performance by Yaroslav Zhalnin, who portrayed Yuri Gagarin in the film “Gagarin. First in Space.” Across the entire festival, the combined programs involved more than five hundred artists, bringing together performers from diverse backgrounds, including participants from the Donetsk People’s Republic under the umbrella of the event’s expansive cultural matrix.
In total, the International Yuri Gagarin Festival featured 190 cultural, scientific, educational, and sports events across the region, of which ten were international in scope. The breadth of activities demonstrated the festival’s capacity to serve as a platform for cross-border dialogue, talent development, and public celebration of achievements in space science, technology, and the humanities. Through concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and ceremonial activities, the festival reinforced a message of peaceful progress and cooperative exploration shared by communities in Canada, the United States, and beyond, while maintaining a distinctly regional voice that honors the legacy of Yuri Gagarin and the spirit of international scientific cooperation.