Russian President Vladimir Putin also attended the ceremony.
"I welcome you all to Russia at the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students. At the forum of the planet's youth, the most representative in its history, approximately 30,000 participants, guests, volunteers from over 180 countries of the world from all the continents have gathered here in Sochi," Putin said.
All the participants of the festival wear yellow vests with a green strip on it. Every attendant of the ceremony has received a special interactive bracelet that will be a part of the show, the organizers of the event told Sputnik.
The festival is being held on October 14-22. The major events will be held in Russia's resort city of Sochi and will gather approximately 20,000 people from over 180 countries. The closing ceremony will also take place at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi.
Russia has already hosted WFYS twice — in 1957 and in 1985. This year marks the 70th anniversary since the first festival was held in Prague.
@UNVolunteers are doing well in Sochi at the #WFYS. pic.twitter.com/s08o0FmKZ8
— Moctar MENTA (@moctarmenta) 12 октября 2017 г.
