An exhibition examining the history of Nazism and what its organisers describe as the resurgence of neo-Nazi ideology in the modern world has opened at the International Festival o
The report indicates that an exhibition examining the history of Nazism and what its organisers describe as the resurgence of neo-Nazi ideology in the modern world has opened at the International Festival of Youth (IFY) 2026 in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
It further notes that the exhibition, titled “Catastrophe of Memory. Neo-Nazism in the 21st Century,” opened on Sunday, September 13, as part of activities at the youth festival, which is bringing together thousands of participants from across the world.
Sergei Kiriyenko, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the International Festival of Youth and First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation, attended the opening ceremony.
Kiriyenko stated the exhibition was particularly significant because of the international profile of the festival, which organisers say has attracted participants from 191 countries.
“It was indeed very important to hold this exhibition here, in Ekaterinburg, as a part of the International Festival of Youth,” he said.
According to him, many of the participants are emerging leaders in politics, business, science, media and other sectors who are likely to play influential roles in their respective countries.
“We must be very honest with them about the challenges that the future holds for them,” Kiriyenko added.
Organised by the Museum of Contemporary History of Russia, the exhibition combines historical materials relating to Nazi Germany and the Second World War with contemporary displays through which the organisers seek to highlight what they describe as the re-emergence and glorification of Nazi and extremist ideologies.
The materials on display include items from Russian museums, archives and news agencies, alongside historical artefacts and works by contemporary artists.
The exhibition begins with videos depicting the liberation of parts of Europe from Nazi occupation, footage from the Nuremberg Trials and stamps issued by different countries commemorating the Anti-Hitler Coalition.
It also features physical materials documenting crimes committed by Nazi Germany during the Second World War.
Other sections trace the development of neo-Nazi movements during the post-war and Cold War periods before turning to contemporary manifestations of extremist nationalism in Europe and elsewhere.
Some of the exhibition’s contemporary material focuses on Ukraine and Russia’s war against the country. These displays reflect the Russian organisers’ interpretation of the conflict, including materials described as nationalist or neo-Nazi literature and objects collected from areas involved in what Moscow officially calls its “special military operation”.
Deputy Russian Culture Minister Sergei Pershin praised the Museum of Contemporary History of Russia and its director, Irina Velikanova, for assembling the exhibition.
