I. Metshin: “Sabantuy in Paris is a historic event”
Photo by Denis Gordiyko
(KZN.RU, May 25, by Zilya Gayfi). Paris today hosted a Sabantuy festival
organized for residents and guests of the French capital in the context of
cooperation between Paris and Kazan. Tatar folk festival on the Champ de Mars
was attended by the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Paris Anne
Hidalgo, the Russian Ambassador to France Alexander Orlov.
“In the context of
work in United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) organization Kazan and Paris
have established very friendly relations. Anne Hidalgo is a wonderful
colleague, a creative mayor, with whom we have agreed on cooperation. For us
this is a historic event that our national holiday Sabantuy, which celebrates
the beauty of our people, is held in Paris, in the heart of Europe. I'm very
proud that Kazan had the honor to represent Russia and Tatarstan in the French
capital. Let this become a tradition”, - the Mayor said, speaking to reporters of
Russian Federal TV channels.
“At this difficult time the festival aims to show the friendship between
people, for the biggest asset of it all is a multinational world”, - he said.
Ilsur Metshin and Anne Hidalgo took a walk on the Champ de Mars. Anne
Hidalgo tried dishes of Tatar cuisine, met Tatar artisans. “Today we celebrate
the friendship between the two cities, which share aspirations and ambitions.
In the twenty-first century, people choose friendship through culture and
sports. We believe in friendship of different cities, since the culture is a
universal value. Sabantuy in Paris gives the French an opportunity to learn
more about Russia, Tatarstan and Kazan, to understand the culture and traditions
of multinational nation”, - the Mayor of Paris said.
Unusual folk festival attracted both tourists
and Parisians. “We lived in France for 17 years, before that we had lived in
Moscow. We love Tatarstan Republic, because we have Tatar roots. We are glad
the festival came here. Amazing organization, amazing weather, hospitable
Tatars, delicious food, safety at the highest level. Here we get acquainted
with the culture of the Tatarstan Republic, for us it is very important. The
festival bears positive energy, it shows how to solve ethnic and religious issues.
Sabantuy is a great contribution to the friendship between Russia and France,
and we will definitely visit Kazan!” – Oleg Baidakov and Maryam Saidasheva shared
their opinion on festival.