Published on: 2026-07-03
Source: KAMAZ – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On Thursday, July 2, the All-Russian gathering of student squad veterans began in Naberezhnye Chelny. The event, organized by the Russian Student Squads (RSO) with the support of the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan and PJSC KAMAZ, is dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the city and the 50th anniversary of the release of the first KAMAZ truck.
The rally is attended by 420 movement veterans from 33 regions of the country, including the original builders of the auto giant and the city.
“More than 20.5 million people have gone through the Student Teams School. This is a unique organization with unique traditions – no one else has anything like it. Among the veterans of the movement are the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, prominent political and public figures, major businessmen, and distinguished representatives of culture and show business. And today’s graduates of the student teams are already making their mark both in creativity and at leading enterprises in the country. It is especially symbolic that the rally takes place on the legendary land of KAMAZ. The student team fighters played a crucial role in this construction, demonstrating an example of dedication and brotherhood. For us, working at KAMAZ is part of the formation of professional and human qualities, and we are proud to continue the glorious traditions.”, – saidFirst Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Youth Policy, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Russian Student Brigades Mikhail Kiselev.
As part of the solemn opening of the rally, veterans of the movement were awarded for the development of student squads. A rich program has been prepared for the participants: an exhibition dedicated to the history of the All-Union student construction and its connection with the modern generation of student squads is on display. Guests will also enjoy a theatrical performance about the arrival of the first construction squad members in Naberezhnye Chelny, prepared by student squads from Tatarstan. A symbolic highlight of the rally will be the All-Russian festival of construction squad songs in the Vladimir Vysotsky square, where veterans’ original songs will be performed – both those written during the construction period and contemporary ones.
“Tens of thousands of young people built not only ‘KAMAZ,’ but the entire Soviet Union. And today, modern youth preserve these traditions and actively participate in the development of our country. Today, in student construction teams both in Tatarstan and across Russia, regions exchange students among themselves, tens of thousands of young people participate in the development of new productions, new construction projects, in a large complex of work that allows youth to gain new skills and develop our country.”, – notedMinister for Youth Affairs of the Republic of Tatarstan Azat Kadyrov.
Naberezhnye Chelny became the center of the All-Union shock Komsomol construction project “KAMAZ” in 1970. Over 25,000 students passed through the student brigades school in 10 years. Today, youth working within KAMAZ’s student brigades are employed at four factories of the auto giant – the press-frame, engine, automobile, forge, and foundry plants – continuing the traditions of previous generations. Within the framework of the rally, veterans will visit these factories and see how modern youth work in the workshops they once helped build.
“Congratulations on the opening of the gathering of veterans of student brigades from the multithousand collective of the enterprise, once created by the hands of 25 thousand students—boys and girls who went through this school of construction at KAMAZ. Today, with the support of General Director Sergey Anatolyevich Kogogin, we have revived the zonal headquarters of the student brigades—the first production zonal headquarters in the country. I am the chairman of the Supervisory Board of KAMAZ student brigades and see how the kids work today. These are the traditions laid down by the Komsomol builders and carefully passed down from generation to generation. I am proud that I myself went through this school, worked as part of the student brigades of Kazan State University. Student brigades are a school of life, a spirit of collectivism, traditions that we carry through the years.”, –emphasized the Deputy General Director for Security of PJSC KAMAZ, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Veterans of the Student Brigades of KAMAZ, Siren Galiakberov.
Excursions around the city and to memorable sites related to the history of the All-Union construction project are also organized for guests. These include the “Shock Komsomol” stele, erected in the 1970s as a symbol of labor valor; the monument “Glory to the builders of KAMAZ,” which students secretly installed on the eve of Builder’s Day; the floating dock—the place from which the journey to the construction site began for thousands of Komsomol members who arrived via the Kama River; as well as a mural dedicated to the connection of generations and the modern continuation of the glorious traditions of student brigades. The event is organized by the Tatarstan regional branch of the Russian Student Brigades.
Russian student brigades are the largest labor movement of Russian youth. Hundreds of thousands of young people work annually in student brigades, gaining their first work experience, earning decent wages, and making a significant contribution to the country’s development. Before going out into the summer work semester, movement participants can receive free training in an additional working profession; since 2021, more than 170 thousand people have taken advantage of this opportunity.
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