The 6th World Festival of Youth and Students (Russian: Всемирный фестиваль молодёжи и студентов) was opened on 28 July 1957, in Moscow, Soviet Union. The festival attracted 34,000 people from 130 countries. This became possible after the bold political changes initiated by Nikita Khrushchev. It was the first World Festival of Youth and Students held in the Soviet Union, which was opening its doors for the first time to the world.
The Khrushchev reforms, known as Khrushchev's Thaw, resulted in some changes in the Soviet Union. Foreigners could come for a visit, and Russians were allowed to meet foreigners, albeit only in groups under supervision. However, that did not stop people from making friends. Russian foreign language students volunteered as interpreters. `
Music from many world cultures came to USSR with the festival. Russians were dancing on the streets holding hands with foreigners from all over the world. Jazz musician Aleksey Kozlov had a chance to play with foreign musicians. The popular ensemble Druzhba from Leningrad became the winner of the First Prize in popular music, thanks to its lead singer, Edyta Piecha, the star of the 1950s who could sing in many languages. Edyta Piecha, Vladimir Troshin and international guests of the festival together performed the popular song Moscow Nights.
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