To love your work and Russia: champion Maria Kiseleva and TV presenter Federico Arnaldi spoke in Nizhny Novgorod.

      Three-time Olympic champion, television presenter, head of the Russian Theater on Water and the Center for Synchronized Swimming, deputy of the Moscow City Duma, member of the United Russia party Maria Kiseleva and host of the program "Let's Go, Let's Eat!" (16+) on NTV Federico Arnaldi met on April 29 with participants of the Knowledge Marathon. The Open Dialogues took place in Nizhny Novgorod. The lecturers shared with the students how their love for Russia, desire to learn new things, and strive for improvement helped them achieve professional mastery. The Knowledge Society marathon is dedicated to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, declared by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, and is being implemented as part of the national project "Youth and Children."

      In her lecture on the topic "Sports Pride of a Great Power," Maria Kiseleva emphasized that true athletes achieve outstanding results not out of selfishness, but by following the priority of becoming the best and defending the honor of the country. She noted that no other considerations work here.

      "When you join the Russian national team and arrive at your first international start, you feel an enormous burden of responsibility on your shoulders. But I don't know anyone who would want to pass that burden on to someone else. The Olympics is the most important start for all athletes. Getting onto the Olympic podium is the highest dream," Maria Kiseleva shared.

      The champion recounted how 30 years ago, the youth team of Russian synchronized swimmers learned to overcome temptations and not waste energy needed for successful performances on extraneous things. Having developed the ability to focus on results, the girls won two gold medals at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

      "The responsibility was so great that there was simply no room for error. We won the first gold medal for our country in synchronized swimming. I remember that feeling: standing on the podium, the anthem plays — and goosebumps run down my skin. It was a feeling of absolute happiness!" Maria Kiseleva recounted.

      The champion emphasized that sports instill many qualities that help develop and advance in any field. These include willpower, the ability to take a hit, concentrate, and work hard.

      "Of course, not everyone needs to strive for high achievement in sports. For many, sports are an opportunity to become stronger and tougher. Besides high-performance sports, there is mass sports, children's sports. It is important to remember: only when you love your work, when you are ready to learn and work hard every day, will you improve your professional qualities and move forward," the Olympic champion addressed the youth.

      Maria Kiseleva also spoke about how the sense of team gives strength to athletes. "There are 8 of us — and we are all united by one task, one dream. We breathe in unison, think in unison, but the responsibility lies with everyone — both for themselves and for their teammate. And that helps a lot. A team is a force; with a team, you can do anything!" Maria Kiseleva emphasized.

      Russian athletes are also greatly inspired by the support of the entire country. They take pride in the fact that even the President of Russia is aware of their successes. Thus, in July 2025, Vladimir Putin personally congratulated Maria Kiseleva's colleagues — synchronized swimmers Alexander Maltsev and Maya Gurbanberdieva — for their victory at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore in the mixed duet technical program, noting their "highest level of mastery, exceptional technique, and artistry."

      The hosts asked the Olympic champion questions about how she got into television and even into film, where she played one of the roles in the series "Idiot" based on Dostoevsky's novel. Maria listed all the stages of her professional growth, starting from the journalism faculty at Moscow State University. Then there was work as a sports journalist, commentator — and only then did the hardworking and charismatic athlete become the host of the popular show "The Weak Link." Film came into Maria's life when director Vladimir Bortko saw the television program and decided that Varvara Ardalionovna should be just like that. In each of her roles, Maria achieved success, overcoming significant difficulties. According to her, a sincere desire to do her job well and not let the team down helped.

      "To love your work, your country, to defend its honor — these are not empty words. This is much stronger than other motivational stories. The understanding that you have a great country behind you helps you move in any direction. It’s simply impossible otherwise! I wish all participants of today's meeting to believe in themselves and be the strongest link!" Maria Kiseleva concluded her speech with an optimistic message.

      Federico Arnaldi, the host of another popular NTV program "Let's Go, Let's Eat!" spoke with the students about the diversity of culinary traditions in vast Russia, its knowledge through the lens of cuisine and people. After living in the country for 9 years, he learned Russian well and used many vivid figurative comparisons and catchphrases in his speech. He confessed that he fell in love with buckwheat and cooks it even more often than the pasta familiar to Italians — while dressing it with olive oil.

      "I used to think that Russia was caviar and dumplings. But then it turned out that even dumplings have an enormous variety here! I remember my first encounter with Russian dishes — it was around New Year, in a small apartment of friends, the table was laden with treats. When they brought out the aspic, it turned out that it was supposed to be served with horseradish. That was hard to eat! Then it turned out that you have a bathhouse, where after the heat and steam, they throw you into the snow — shock here, shock there! In Russia, bright contrasts and vivid emotions are welcomed. I loved all of this, and that's why I'm still here. Russia is the largest and most multifaceted country on the planet, and its cuisine is just as multifaceted," the television host shared his impressions.

      Federico Arnaldi also told the students about his travels to different regions of the country. "Incredible Kalmykia, where pink springs burst from the ground, and fields of tulips stretch out. Chukotka, where I saw whales and the northern lights. Murmansk — the entire soil looks like a lunar landscape covered with moss, and the sea with orcas not far from the shore. In the Yaroslavl region, the city of Rybinsk stood out — they preserved the appearance of pre-revolutionary Russia, all the signs were hand-painted by artists. Each region has something unique!" Federico concluded.

      The presentation also included comparative linguistics: the television host, at the listeners' request, found Italian equivalents for well-known Russian proverbs and taught the audience greetings and farewells in Italian — for this, in sunny Italy, they use the same word "ciao." The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on the main events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.