The spring of the In My Homeland project has become truly vibrant not only due to the opening of the final exhibition of the 21st International Art and Graphics COntest and the award ceremony, which took place on April 25, but also a number of other interesting events in different parts of the world.

Exhibition "World of Insects Around Us" in the Academy of Science

As part of the Native Nature Week, which was held by the organisations of the Scientific and Practical Center for Bioresources of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus from May 18 to 22, 2026, the Academy of Sciences hosted the exhibition "The World of Insects Around Us" following the results of the 21st International Art and Graphics Contest "In My Homeland". This theme was proposed to the contest organisers by scientists from the laboratory of terrestrial invertebrates in order to draw the attention of young artists to representatives of the most numerous and diverse class of animals – insects. The young authors listened to the suggestion, took a closer look at the surrounding microcosm and shared their discoveries in the drawings. Many of these works were highly appreciated not only by the jury members, but also by professional entomologists. 15 competitive works from Belarus, Russia and Turkey also received special diplomas from scientists and were presented at the SPC for Bioresources.

The exhibition aroused great interest among both the staff of the SPC laboratories and the visitors of the Academy these days. Colorful and vivid drawings, which brought beetles and butterflies to life, did not leave anyone indifferent. The visitors of the exhibition enthusiastically examined every detail and made sure to take photos for memory.

Presentation of the In My Homeland project in Gansu Province (China)

On May 16, 2026, a meeting of teachers and artists dedicated to the 21st International Art and Graphics Contest “In My Homeland” was held at the Happy Art School in Lanzhou, China. The meeting was hosted by artists-teachers Lei Lei, Du Yamin and Evgenia Kosterina, who were members of the contest's observatory council this year. They talked about the jury work, presented the contest results and shared their personal impressions. It was especially interesting for the participants to see the contest drawings, both the winners and the selection of individual members of the jury and the observatory council. Taking into account the difference between Eastern and Western artistic traditions, one of the presenters, Evgenia Kosterina, gave comments on the evaluation criteria and motives for choosing certain works.

During the meeting, the teachers were also invited to make and comment on their choice from among the contest works brought by the participants of the observatory council as a methodological folder.

This is the third time that children's drawings from Gansu Province have participated in the contest, and with each new meeting, the circle of interested teachers is expanding. As part of the dialogue in June 2026, it is planed to continue the tradition of meetings with teachers of fine arts in Gansu Province.

Earlier in April 2026, Evgenia Kosterina, a member of the observatory council  of the "In My Homeland" contest, an artist-teacher, a visiting specialist at Longdong University, UNESCO in Gansu Province, participated in an open–air event in the Taihangshan Mountains, Henan Province.

The picturesque landscape of mountains and gorges, comfortable living conditions, and talented students left her with wonderful impressions.

Exhibition "In My Homeland" in Yilan Town

Thanks to the cooperation with the EQPF organisation, this year there was a fairly large representation of drawings by Taiwanese young artists at the International Art and Graphics Contest "In My Homeland". By the decision of the jury, 63 works by Taiwanese authors received Diplomas of various degrees and Thank-You Letters of the contest.

On May 2, 2026, the Yilan Storyhouse hosted an exhibition of the winners of the 21st International Art and Graphics Contest "In My Homeland", which featured works by young authors from Taiwan Island, Peng Islands, as well as 10 of the best works from other countries, which emphasized the internationality of the contest and exhibition.

In the exhibition works, one could see images of their native land, the culture of the night market, images of indigenous people, fishing villages, roads, traditional way of life, in general, everything that demonstrates the diversity and originality of Taiwan's cultural heritage.

The exhibition will last until May 30, and in September it is planned to hold another exhibition of the winners of the "In My Homeland" contest in Hsinchu County.

Exhibition "In My Homeland" in Far Eastern Art Museum

This year, Alyona Frolova, a specialist of the Far Eastern Art Museum from Khabarovsk, became one of the observers of the art contest "In My Homeland". This became the starting point for organising the contest's exhibition in another part of the world. Alyona Frolova brought with her not only a lot of impressions from the jury work and the children's drawings she saw, but also some of the works of the winners of the 20th International Art and Graphics Contest (2025), which were included in the exhibition, which took place from April 7 to May 24, 2026 at the Far Eastern Art Museum.

The exhibition was also seen by visitors of the "Night of Museums", held on May 16. Children's drawings attracted no less attention than interactive educational locations.

It is planned that more than sixty works executed in the technique of linocut and etching, collage and drawing by children aged 5 to 18 from different countries will then travel to many cities of the Far East with a sincere story about the main thing – about love for the Motherland.

Photo exhibition "Ural Tales"

Last summer, 2025, while traveling through the Urals as part of the In My Homeland project, photographer Semion Shevtsov attended master classes at the Faculty of Art Education (FAE) of the Nizhny Tagil State Socio-Pedagogical University (NTSSPU). Even then, it was decided to hold a joint exhibition of photographs by Semion Shevtsov and Refat Mamutov, a teacher of the FAE, dedicated to the nature of the Urals. Kulturträger Marina Volkova (Chelyabinsk), who accompanied Semion Shevtsov on his journey, suggested comparing the views of two photo artists – a guest and a resident of the Urals.

The exhibition "Ural Tales" opened on April 20, 2026 at the Faculty of Art Education of the NTSSPU. Interest in Bazhov's literary legacy, represented in the photographic works of two masters – Semion Shevtsov (Belarus) and Refat Mamutov (Russia) – is associated with a special vision of the atmosphere of fairy tales and the Ural nature. "For students and teachers, the atmosphere of the tales was easy to read – the photographs of Semion and Refat convey the metaphysics of the place so vividly," said Marina Volkova.

The Ural Tales photo exhibition runs until the end of May.

Medal "For contribution to the development of art education"

Since 2022, the International Union of Artists-Teachers has been awarding art education specialists the medal "For Contribution to the Development of Art Education" for their personal achievements in improving the teaching methods of art disciplines; preserving and enhancing the traditions of academic schools; creating and promoting significant projects in the field of art education; mentoring and educating laureates.

In 2026, Natalia Alekseevna Sviatkina, coordinator of the International Art and Ecological Project "In My Homeland", was awarded the medal.