Published on: 2026-05-13
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
At Novosibirsk State University, a meeting “Mayevka — 60” was held, bringing together participants from different years — from 1970, when the festival first appeared, to 1990. In the format of a live conversation, they recalled how Mayevka changed along with the country, and tried to understand whether it is still relevant today.
Moderator of the meeting, alumnus of NGU and chairman of the May Day 1981 organizing committeeAndrey Sobolevskiyset the tone of the discussion by proposing to consider the history of the event through two possible lenses: as a past phenomenon of the Soviet era and as a practice whose meanings continue to “work” today. This question united all subsequent reports of the meeting participants.
The conversation quickly went beyond memories and moved on to broader topics — about the nature of public activism and its place in the modern world. Participants noted that activism is impossible without internal conflict — a feeling of contradiction between ideas of justice and reality. At the same time, the idea was expressed that former forms of public life are not always applicable today, and they should be replaced by new ones.
One of the most emotional performances was the recollections of the May Day of the 1970s.Galina Pavlova, who participated in organizing the celebration at that time, spoke about it as a deeply personal experience that combined politics, art, and a genuine human response to what was happening in the world. The events in Chile, Victor Jara’s songs, solidarity actions — all of this became a part of university life and served as a shared response among the students.
—This was nerve, pain, and a particle of my heart, — she noted.
Mayovka of summer included not only stage performances, but also street actions, musical and theatrical projects created by the students themselves. According to the participants’ memories, it was a space of high involvement and collective experience.
In the 1990s, the focus shifted significantly. “Mayovka” and “Internedelja” became platforms for discussing global processes and the future of civilization. As told by a graduate of the Faculty of Physics at NSUKonstantin Guzev, in those years in Akademgorodok, ideas of the “Rome Club,” scenarios of world development and possible crises were discussed. At the same time, the musical component intensified: the festival turned into a focal point of attraction for Russian and foreign performers.
—We wanted to provide the platform for everyone to express themselves, he emphasized, explaining why Maevka gradually began to resemble a major music forum.
At the same time, the organizers themselves did not set out to create a festival in the modern sense — much was achieved through enthusiasm and personal connections. Participants recalled how they invited foreign musicians, conducted correspondence, and organized performances practically without resources, but with the feeling that the “impossible is possible.”
He spoke about the change of generations and the transformation of MayevkaViktor Laskin. According to him, each decade has brought its own forms and meanings, and this is a natural process:
—The son does not necessarily have to be like the father; he has his own path.
He emphasized that Mayevka has always depended on the context of the times — the social environment, opportunities, and demands of the generation. At the same time, the most important thing that remains unchanged is the experience of participation and the feeling of involvement:
—We have something to talk about. We are not ashamed of it. We are proud of it.
At the end, the meeting turned into a free-form communication— a format that the participants themselves called the closest thing to a May Day gathering. It is precisely in such an open dialogue, in my opinion, that its main legacy is manifested—a capacity to unite people and become a space for seeking new meanings.
What now?
This year, the youth student forum “Internedelya” was held from April 18 to May 1. Representatives of 11 higher education institutions from various regions took part in the forum events. The festival program included master classes, exhibitions, nostalgic meetings, conferences aimed at exchanging knowledge and experience. In addition to the educational part, an extensive entertainment program was provided, including dynamic flash mobs, atmospheric musical evenings, Russian round dances, international evenings dedicated to familiarizing with the culture of different countries.
The key events of the festival were “International Arbat,” where participants could immerse themselves in the culture of different countries for several hours; the sports celebration “InterGames,” which gathered about 2000 participants this year, where students were able to demonstrate themselves both in team and individual competitions. The forum concluded with the music festival “Mayevka.”
In 2026, “Maevka” took place in the traditional format for recent years of a music festival. It gathered hundreds of students and residents of Akademgorodok at a venue next to the new building of the current auditorium of NSU. The festival’s participants and guests were welcomed by the rector of NSU, a corresponding member of the RAS.Dmitry Pyshny.
Bands from the capitals of Siberia and other cities of Russia performed at the festival.“This “Ogonyok”— a cover band from the NGU Music Club, made up of students from various university faculties. It has existed for more than 4 years, constantly experimenting and inventing arrangements, so it plays in very different genres, but mainly rock, indie, pop, and jazz. “Sledy” (Tracks) is a band from Tomsk, which has released two official music videos. A musical cocktail of melancholy, expression, and powerful rock.
Group“Free Bus”Founded by graduates of FMSh and the Physical Education Faculty of NGU. This scientific-punk trio arrived in their native Akademgorodok from Saint Petersburg.Boyz-band from the heart of Siberia “SNIMKI”— artists of the label “Tavrida.ART” and masters of alternative glam rock. Winners and finalists of major music competitions and festival participants.
And, finally, the group“Boroda Babay”. The group from Barnaul has created over the years of creativity a recognizable style that critics describe as “crip-rock” or “mystic-rock” — a mix of the power of metal, the gloomy aesthetics of horror-punk, and the melodiousness of folk in one bottle.
The “Internet Week” forum is held with the support of the Department of Youth Policy of the Novosibirsk Region and the Council of Vice-Rectors for Youth Policy and Educational Activities of Higher Education Institutions located in the territory of the Novosibirsk Region.
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