Anne Hidalgo: “I’d like to thank Kazan for choosing Paris to host Sabantuy”
Photo by Denis Gordiyko
(KZN.RU, May 26). Yesterday, on May, 25th, an iconic area of Paris – the
Champ de Mars at the foot of the Eiffel tower – turned for one day turned into
a huge colorful stage under the open sky, filled with the scent of the Tatar
pastries, bright colors of national clothing and playgrounds. Sabantuy in Paris
has welcomed about 20 thousand visitors. So, according to the organizers,15
thousand paper “tubetey” hats and flags were handed out to the guests at the
entrance.
Sabantuy was visited by Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ambassadors of
several countries: Armenia – Vigen Chitechyan, Iraq – Ismail Shafiq Muhsin,
Kazakhstan – Nurlan Danenov, the Kingdom of Morocco – Chakib Benmoussa. Among
the guests also were Russian Ambassador to France Alexander Orlov, Permanent Delegate of the
Russian Federation to UNESCO in Paris Alexander Kuznetsov, representatives of
the Executive Committee of World Congress of Tatars and others.
The event had a special significance for the representatives of the
Tatar Diaspora, some of whom came from different parts of the world – Estonia,
Finland, England, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Japan, to visit Sabantuy. Worth
noting that only in France there are one thousand Tatar residents, and the
total in Europe – about 50 thousand Tatars.
Parisians willingly participated in usual for the Tatars, but new to
Europeans, funny contests and competitions. Guests wore embroidered aprons and “kalfaqs”,
raced balancing eggs in tablespoons in their mouths, jump-raced in bags, tried
to break pots with a stick blindfolded. The most daring spectators tried to
catch a coin without using his hands in a large bowl of the sour cream.
187 Kazan artists made a show for Parisians and guests. Among the artists
were "Kazan", "Tatarstan", "Bulgars",
"Kamskie Zori" dance ensembles, "Charm" show-theatre, as
well as singers – Elmira Kalimullina, Aigul Hayri, Roman Plekhanov, Aigul
Barieva, Bulat Khismatov, "Zuleila" singing ensemble and others.
National wrestling Kuresh attracted a lot of attention – some of the
spectators were actively rooting for their favorite athletes. 33 participants
from 13 countries competed in three weight categories. Rail Nurgaliyev from
Russia was given the title of Absolute “Batyr” (“Hero”) of Sabantuy in Paris.
Tatar cuisine a real success at the festival. Guests tried “Chuck-Chuck”
and “Echpochmak”. But the biggest queue was to the kiosk with fast Halal food “Tubetey”.
The Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, accompanied by the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur
Metshin and Vice-mayor Eugenia Lodvigova went around the area, paying
particular attention to the tents of artisans. She met craftsmen working with
leather, pottery. To commemorate the event, one of the artisans presented to
the Mayor of Paris a coin forged with images of the Eiffel tower of Paris on
one side and Suyumbika tower of Kazan on the other.
Anne Hidalgo and Ilsur Metshin greeted the guests of the festival from
the stage. “Being in Kazan for the first time left me with wonderful memories.
A trip to the capital of Tatarstan allowed me to understand this city better,
its history and traditions, to see for myself how the representatives of different
nations live together in peace and harmony. It's really a good example for us
all and a symbol of Russia. I’d like to thank Kazan and Ilsur Metshin for to
host Sabantuy. It celebrates revival, spring, love. We are honored to host this
wonderful festival in Par”, - she said.
Anne Hidalgo mentioned
the importance of establishing friendly relations between Paris and Kazan. “Your
support is very valuable to us, because we are entering the homestretch in the
bidding campaign to host the Olympic Games in 2024. I hope till that time we
will meet again and have an opportunity to discuss projects in the context of
our cooperation”, –the Mayor of Paris said.
Ilsur Metshin greeted the residents and guests of Paris in Russian,
Tatar, French and English languages. The head of the capital of Tatarstan
thanked the hosts for their hospitality and passed greetings from President of
Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. “Sabantuy in Paris is a historic event. For the
first time our national holiday is held in the heart of Europe – in the heart
of Paris, on the famous Champ de Mars. Sabantuy symbolizes Russia with its
multinational population. It is important that all people in the world keep fellowship”,
- the Mayor of Kazan said.
Ilsur Metshin noted that Kazan highly values relations with Paris and
support it in many projects, particularly in the bidding campaign for the right
to host the Olympic Games. “We appreciate the friendly relations established
between our cities. We wish Paris the victory in the bidding. We vote for
Paris! We are confident that you will win, you deserve it. We promise to bring Sabantuy
to the cultural program of the Olympic Games”, – he said.
Some French citizens and tourists shared their impressions
on the festival. “We liked the organization. For the first time we saw how the
people of Russia like to relax. It’s good that such a big country like Russia
can present itself in France in such an unusual way. We also for the first time
learned about the Tatars and their culture. They are very interesting folk”, – Pierre
Gilles, Paris resident, shared his impressions.