Dmitry Medvedev: "Thank you, Kazan!"

(KZN.RU, June 28, by Renat Shirmanov). The past week proved to be highly important for Kazan: the capital of Tatarstan was visited by President Dmitry Medvedev. He spent time at several mass events: the first competition at the newly opened rowing canal, the President of Russia horse race, the Sabantui holiday and the “Creation of Peace” festival in the capital of Tatarstan. Dmitry Medvedev also held a meeting of the Presidential Council for Sports.

Kazan Sabantuy-2011, which took place on June 25, was special: first, it was attended by the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev; second, this year’s Sabantuy was one of the most massive in the history of the celebration (over 4 thousand performers were involved in the prologue of the holiday alone), and, finally, this year the participants visited an entirely new venue -- a birch grove near the village of Mirny.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, accompanied by Tatarstan’s President Rustam Minnikhanov and by the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, strolled about Tatar homesteads, tasted the national pastry chak-chak, tried on an ethnic skullcap, and picked up a hammer and forged a horseshoe in a makeshift forge in the Laishevsky region.

A standing ovation greeted the President of Russia at the main Sabantui ground. Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Kazan residents and guests on the holiday. In his words, Sabantui -- a vivid and joyful Tatar holiday -- is celebrated in many parts of our country. "Young and old come here; everybody is in high spirits. May the energy given you by Sabantui last through the year,” said the President to all those present, wishing them happiness, good health and high spirits. At the end of his speech, the President thanked all in the Tatar language: "Rakhmat!”

The same evening, Dmitry Medvedev welcomed participants and guests of the 4th festival of live music "Creation of Peace".

"Hi, Kazan!" he addressed the crowd at Millennium Square and added the same greeting in the Tatar language - salaam. The President noted that the weather has not spoiled the two festivals. "Sabantui met the highest standards, and a brilliant concert is on at the moment," said Medvedev. "Unfortunately, I cannot stay here until the end, but will be able to enjoy some of it,” he promised. The Head of State was accompanied by the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin and other officials.

Dmitry Medvedev wished high spirits to the audience and loud applause to the musicians, noting that all participants were bound to experience intense emotions.

The international live music festival "Creation of Peace", held in Kazan for the fourth time, gathered international musicians near Kazan Kremlin, united by a desire to live and work under a peaceful sky.

It has become a notable musical event in Russia and Europe, attracting the attention of all contemporary music lovers. Uniting on one stage a variety of performers, the festival demonstrates the power of music. It displays the musicians’ desire to teach by example all the fans tolerance and respect for people of other countries, cultures and religions.

Despite its young age, the “Creation" has been recognized as a major cultural event in Europe by leading domestic and foreign music experts. Held for the first time in 2008, the festival has set new Russian standards in sound design, scenic content, and cooperation with international stars.
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It is worth noting that the Russian president visited the festival for the first time.

Summing up the work of the City Hall today, the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin noted that each of these events required the solution of numerous organizational issues, and the city had to deal with all of them. "We have long been preparing for these events and have done a great job, thanks to which we have been highly praised by Russia’s President," said Ilsur Metshin.

According to the Department of Internal Affairs in Kazan, the festivities were attended by over 350 thousand people. The order in public places was maintained by about 7.5 thousand police officers.

"The President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov asked me to thank all the organizers of the celebrations. Of course, they caused some inconveniences, for which I would like to apologize to all residents of Kazan. We must treat such inconveniences with understanding: it is not every day that the head of state visits our city," summed up Ilsur Metshin.