Russian Family Events: Art, Music & Intergenerational Chess

Moscow, Russia – An evening program, “Time of Family Happiness,” was held at the Peace Embassy in Moscow on May 16, 2026, dedicated to the International Day of Families. The event opened with a formal address by Ms. Tatiana Kuznetsova, coordinator of the International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP) in Russia.

Ms. Kuznetsova shared her understanding that an ideal family requires the presence of God, and that God awaits an invitation to enter every home where He is welcomed. She offered practical guidance on how to build harmonious and truly happy relationships between spouses, as well as between parents and children.

The honorary guest of the evening, Peace Ambassador Mr. Sergey Bayazitov, highlighted the importance of strong and happy families for the country. He also shared his admiration for the artworks presented in the exhibition “With Love for Beauty,” which was held as part of the program.

Ms. Maria Konakhina,  an artist whose works were on exhibit, also addressed the guests. She noted that an elevated sense of beauty, shared within families and society, can help in building harmonious relationships.

The evening continued with a beautiful concert. The talented singer Ms. Natalia Samarina performed romantic songs “Imagine” and “I Will Always Be with You.” Ms. Karina Karine presented her poetry, and the audience was pleasantly surprised when she also performed songs “Mom” and “Love Story,” touching listeners with her heartfelt delivery.

A special highlight of the concert was the bright performance by children from the Elephant Music Studio. Their songs deeply moved the audience and touched the hearts of all guests. A special certificate of appreciation was presented to Ms. Irina Fil, director of the studio. 

After the concert, guests were invited to an exclusive tour of the exhibition “With Love for Beauty,” where the artists spoke about their works and answered questions from the audience. This created a lively dialogue between artists and visitors. Thanks to the active involvement of the family of artist Ms. Irina Getman, a small fair of souvenirs, books and postcards was organized, allowing guests to take home a memorable keepsake from the event.

The program continued with a tea gathering, which unexpectedly turned into an impromptu concert involving all guests. A family of one of the students from the Elephant Music Studio brought a guitar; the father played while the mother and guests collectively sang well-known and beloved songs. Inspired by the atmosphere, another guest recited a poem he had written after being moved by one of the exhibited paintings.

The creative evening turned into a true family celebration. The atmosphere was warm, bright, and deeply heartfelt. No one wanted to leave, and all participants shared their impressions and gratitude with great enthusiasm, describing the evening as a breath of fresh air in the desert.

By Tatiana Kuznetsova, Coordinator, IAACP-Russia May 16, 2026

Three Generations Join Chess Tournament 

Moscow – An annual chess tournament at the PandaClub Family Center took on a new and truly family-oriented dimension. The event was held on May 16, 2026, in conjunction with the International Day of Families. In honor of the day, the organizers decided to broaden the usual format. Not only children, but also parents and grandparents took their seats at the chessboards. Altogether, 26 participants joined the tournament: 21 young players and five adults.

At the opening ceremony, UPF-Moscow highlighted the unique format of this event. This time, chess became not only a children’s competition, but a shared family occasion: children, parents and grandparents played side by side, and some families were represented by three generations at once.

The director of the PandaClub Family Center also delivered a welcoming speech, noting that such tournaments are becoming a valued tradition of the club. Children gain meaningful competitive experience, parents can see their progress, and the atmosphere remains lively, supportive and friendly.

The children’s tournament was held in two groups using a five-round Swiss system, allowing each participant to play several games against opponents with similar results. This year, there were many newcomers: 10 children tried tournament play for the very first time. For some, it was their first serious experience; for others, another opportunity to test their skills. For everyone, it was an important step forward.

A separate adult group competed in a round-robin format, which added a special dynamic to the event, as children watched adult family members taking part in the competition.

In one family, three generations met at the chessboard: the youngest member won first place in the junior group, the father took third place among adults, and the grandmother participated in a tournament for the first time in her life. Another family also featured three generations: while the mother opened the tournament as the club’s director, the grandfather went on to win the gold cup in the adult category.

When children, parents and grandparents sit down at the same chessboard, chess is more than a club activity or a competition. It becomes part of family culture – a space for communication, support and shared growth.

By Dmitry Samko, President, UPF-Moscow May 16, 2026

 

Programs Highlight Spiritual Roots of Strong Families

Kazan, Russia – From May 15 to 17, 2026, a series of programs dedicated to the International Day of Families took place at the Universal Temple in Kazan – a multifunctional interfaith cultural and dialogue space designed to bring together representatives of different religious, cultural and social groups in an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation.

Over three days, the Temple hosted meetings, dialogue and creative activities organized  by UPF-Kazan and the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, under the theme “The Spiritual Roots of a Strong Family.”

On May 15, guests were welcomed by an exhibition of works dedicated to family values and spiritual traditions. A program titled “Together Forever” celebrated married couples, and family photo sessions were held. The atmosphere set a warm, open and unifying tone for the entire program.

The next day, the central event was a round table discussion with representatives of the Lutheran Church and the Bahá’í community, as well as two religious studies scholars. In open, sincere and informal conversations, participants shared their personal beliefs and reflected on how different religious traditions can cooperate, work together on social issues, and serve society and one another. The discussion was so engaging that after the official part, participants moved to a tea room to continue the conversation.

A shared conclusion emerged: If common goals and priorities are identified, and if judgment and doctrine are set aside, interfaith cooperation is not only possible but can be highly productive. Participants noted that different traditions truly have much to learn from one another.

On the same day, a creative poetry and music open-mic meeting was held in the Catholic Hall, where participants shared inspiration, reflections and artistic performances.

The final event, on May 17, focused on the role of spiritual traditions in strengthening the family. Participants discussed how faith, culture and generational continuity help maintain inner stability in the modern family.

A beautiful concert by the Askar Gumerov Violin Ensemble concluded the Family Days at the Universal Temple.

These programs demonstrated how the theme of family can bring together people of different views, cultures and religious traditions. Through dialogue and shared experiences, participants were able not only to better understand one another but also to outline future directions for cooperation.

 By Anastasiya Ogorodova, President, UPF-Kazan May 17, 2026