Head of Mordovya Zdunov: 'Every year I waited for summer to come, that is, freedom'

Artyom Zdunov, the Head of the Republic of Mordovya in Russia, attended an important event held at the children's camp named "Zümrüt" (Izumrudniy). As part of this event, he met with students participating in a profile-shifting program under "İlkler Hareketi" (Dvijeniye Pervıh), one of Russia's leading youth movements. The visit once again highlighted the importance of the camps in the region where young people find educational and socialization opportunities during the summer months. The famous quote in the title, "Every year I waited for summer to come, that is, freedom," referring to Zdunov's student years, added an emotional connection to the event. With this memory, Zdunov personally accompanied the youth's excitement for the summer vacation and their desire to spend time freely.

During the event, very cheerful and energetic moments were experienced for the camp guests; the students put on a special and entertaining dance show for Head Zdunov and his accompanying delegation. Speaking after the performance, Artyom Zdunov appreciated the children's performance by saying, "You are wonderful!" and could not hide his admiration for their energy. In addition, Artur Orlov, the leader of the İlkler Hareketi, supported the enthusiasm of the youth by saying, "They really fired up, they got very active." This mutual interaction on stage stood out as a clear indicator of the warm relationship between the regional administrators and the youth. This sincere approach of the officials ensured that the event ceased to be an official visit and took on the atmosphere of a joyful celebration.

After the performances, a comprehensive tour was organized for the guests to closely familiarize themselves with the camp area where children spend their summer vacations safely and productively. As part of this guided tour, the highly modern buildings recently built and opened for service at the facility were closely examined. The delegation members, especially Artyom Zdunov, expressed their great satisfaction with the state-of-the-art innovations and standards implemented in the accommodation and activity units. During the inspections, the officials received information about infrastructure investments in the region and evaluated the camp's capacity and the facilities it offers. The visit went down in history as an important opportunity that revealed the value and continuous development process given to youth and children's facilities in Mordovya.

One of the happiest moments of the visit was the section where the officials gave surprise gifts to the camp guests. In this context, an air hockey table was gifted to the children so they could have fun in their free time. The joy of the children receiving the gift was so great that their instant reactions formed the peak point of happiness in the facility's garden. In the speeches made by the officials in the later minutes of the event, it was emphasized that, as in all of Russia, everything in Mordovya is designed primarily for the happiness and development of children. In this context, it was stated that all material and spiritual resources are mobilized for the youth to grow up as well-equipped individuals, touching upon the fundamental goals of state policy. The officials conveyed their belief in the necessity of continuously increasing such social support mechanisms so that children feel special and valued.

In the meeting section, where an atmosphere of mutual conversation was established, school students at the camp had the opportunity to share their personal stories and belongings with the officials. One of the students, Ulyana, shared an emotional anecdote by showing a badge she had brought with her to the event, which she had received as a memento from a forum she had attended in the past. While sharing this memory, Ulyana expressed that the badge was not just an object; it was a living carrier of the camps she had previously attended, the friendships she had made, and her unforgettable memories. Such objects and memories reveal the deep commitment and sense of belonging that young people feel towards these social organizations. The event ended after this sincere dialogue where memories were shared, gifting the participants with another unforgettable summer day.