(KZN.RU,
May 29, Alsu Safina). Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, called the holding of
the national Tatar Sabantuy holiday on May 25 on the Champ de Mars in Paris a
landmark event, which helped strengthen the relationship between Kazan and one
of the major capitals of Europe. The Mayor of Kazan thanked everyone who took
part in the organization and holding of this event in the heart of Europe.
I. Metshin
noted that Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of Tatarstan, and Mintimer
Shaimiev, the State Counsellor of Tatarstan, pay great attention to the
historical heritage. “Much work is being done to include Sabantuy in UNESCO's
intangible heritage list. This is another step that was made dignifiedly,
beautifully, at a high level”, said the Mayor of Kazan.
The head of
the city marked that Sabantuy in Paris was of the great interest to the media,
including federal and French, to which multinational Russia appeared in a
completely different light. “Unfortunately, the Islamic factor in the world
acquires a negative connotation. The fact that Muslims are represented in a
friendly context in Russia is very important”, said the Mayor and added that
our country had previously been represented on the Champs de Mars even back in
the times of the Russian Empire.
Ilsur
Metshin said that compatriots from 12 countries came to Sabantuy: hundreds of
people with families, children, and grandchildren. “A resident of London talked
with Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, and me. She said that she had left the
country long ago, and she had specially come to show our traditions to her
family. With tears in her eyes, and this is not a figurative expression”, said
the Mayor of Kazan. According to him, it is important that Sabantuy passes
outside the homeland across Europe, in Canada, Turkey, and China. “It is
important to preserve our traditions”, believes the Mayor. The head of the city
noted the importance of the House of Friendship of Peoples activity, which
helps people living in Kazan far from their homeland not to lose bonds, educate
their children and grandchildren in their traditions so that they know their
native language and customs.
The Mayor
of Kazan expressed special gratitude to the sponsors who took over the
financial part of the celebration.
Ilsur
Metshin noted that the cultural program of the Parisian Sabantuy allowed
demonstrating “the polyphony of our multinational Kazan, the republic, and
Russia”. The Mayor of Kazan drew attention to the fact that the national
cuisine had a great popularity among the guests of the holiday.
According
to the Mayor, in general, the relationship between Kazan and one of the major
capitals of Europe reached a different level. “We will continue this important
work”, marked the Mayor. The head of the city noted that according to Alexander
Orlov, the Russian ambassador to France, the possibility of holding a Tatar
national holiday on the Champ de Mars became a sign of respect for Kazan by
Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris.