Universiade guests learn about Sabantui

(KZN.RU, July 13, by Taisiya Basharkina) The participants and guests of the Summer Universiade in Kazan had a chance to learn about the national character, life and traditions of Tatarstan inhabitants. The most popular ethnic holiday of Sabantui was celebrated in the birch grove at the settlement of Mirny. The celebration was attended by representatives of all sports delegations participating in the Universiade.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov greeted the guests of Sabantui and wished them lots of fun. As Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin pointed out, Sabantui is the most beloved and long-awaited ethnic holiday. For the first time in Kazan's thousand-year history, Sabantui was attended by representatives of 160 countries from five continents.

President of the Russian Olympic Committee and Vice-Premier Alexander Zhukov said that Sabantui is one of Russia's most popular ethnic holidays. He thanked the organizers for the excellent Universiade and the FISU President for the opportunity to hold the Student Games in Kazan.

Russia's Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, in turn, stressed that Sabantui was becoming an international holiday. "We were able to open Russia and Kazan to a huge number of friends who came to the Universiade. The whole world saw the new Kazan, the new republic and the new Russia," he said.

President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Claude-Louis Gallien expressed his joy and gratitude to all the participants of the Universiade for the opportunity to participate in this celebration. "The Universiade is the best yet," he admitted and thanked Kazan, Tatarstan and Russia, saying "thank you" in the Tatar language.

Sabantui is the best known celebration of the Tatars, which marks the end of spring field work and is usually held in June. Sabantui 2013 has been moved to July so that the guests and participants of the Universiade could enjoy the holiday, which is a national treasure and pride of the country.