The national holiday Sabantuy is celebrated in Kazan

(Kazan City KZN.RU, May 28, Kseniya Shvetsova). The Tatar national holiday Sabantuy is met with a striking theatrical performance based on fairy tales of Gabdulla Tukai, contests, games and wrestling today in Kazan. The city's main venue in Birchwood in Mirny settlement was visited by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin.

Also members of the delegation of the world organization "United Cities and Local Governments", including - president of the organization, the head of Istanbul Kadir Topbash, the Minister of Communications and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation Nikolai Nikiforov, head of the Federal Agency for Nationalities Pavel Semenov, new coach of FC "Rubin" Javier Gracia, guests from Moscow, Khabarovsky Kray and other regions were the honorary guests of the festival. Also participants of the Group of the Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World" came at Sabantuy. At the entrance to the site visitors were met with bread and salt, chak-chak and national dances.

Traditionally, the main holiday area was organized by 11 national corners of municipal districts of the Republic of Tatarstan: Arsky, Alekseevsky, Buinsk, Vysokogorsky, Zelenodolsky, Kukmorsky, Laishevsky, Mamadyshsky, Nurlatsky, Tyulyachinsky and Rybno-Slobodsky. At each corner guests could get acquainted with the unique culture of the areas, treated with national delicacies, see the bright creative numbers. Thus, a scene from a fairy tale “Altynchech”, water world with its fountains and the ship and even the Russian yard, where the bell sounded for the guests, was presented. All guests were invited to take part in national games and competitions: for example, Nikolai Nikiforov tried to break a clay pot with closed eyes and Rustam Minnikhanov played in “towns” game.

This year's celebration of Sabantui is timed to the 130th anniversary of Gabdulla Tukai. On the main city site a spectacular theatrical prologue based on the tales of the Tatar national poet was presented to the audience. Residents of the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan and other regions of the Republic recalled the history of recognizable characters, and guests of the city - have discovered the unusual characters of Tatar fairy tales. On the stage a huge, like a magic chest with Zilant on the cover was installed and in front of it bold batyrs with swords in their hands and beauties dressed in beautiful costumes danced. There also a car was set that waits for its owner - the winner in the national struggle "Koresh".

Rustam Minnikhanov addressed to the guests of the festival with welcoming words and congratulations. "We are glad to see you, dear residents and guests of Kazan, on our most beloved and long-awaited holiday. Sabantuy today moved the borders of the republic and is held in 57 regions of the Russian Federation, in 27 countries. It is not only the Tatar tradition, Sabantuy is a unifying celebration - RT President said. - I thank each of you for the hard work and contribution to the development of the republic and the country".

Kazan Mayor also said that Sabantuy is a multicultural festival. "I want to congratulate you all and thank not only our residents, but also visitors of the capital of the republic for the fact that they share our traditions with us", - I. Metshin said.

The greeting of the President of the world organization of UCLG, Mayor of Istanbul Kadir Topbash, who welcomed the audience in the Tatar language, was an unexpected surprise for the guests. "I am very pleased to be here today with you - K.Topbash turned to the audience. - I come to you for the third time, and for the third time I take part in this celebration. I congratulate you and express my great love", - K.Topbash said and added that Sabantuy is celebrated in Istanbul too.

Sabantuy is a very bright, spectacular event, which shows the most valuable asset of the Tatar people, Pavel Semenov said. "Sabantuy is an integral part of the rich heritage of spiritual development, it connects all aspects of national life - from folklore and rituals to crafts and cuisine, - the head of the Federal Agency for Nationalities said. - It is symbolic that this year's festival is dedicated to the 130th anniversary of Gabdulla Tukai, because the creativity of the great Tatar writer and educator reflects the multinational culture of Russia, and his works are dear to all representatives of our country".

At the end of the official part Rustam Minnikhanov handed Republican Award: for outstanding achievements in the development of physical culture and sports in the republic, the achievement of high sports results the Member of Federation "Koresh" of RT Ilyas Galimov was awarded with order "For Merit of the Republic of Tatarstan".

Celebration will continue with colorful concert featuring Tatar pop stars on the main venue, as well as contests, games on all holiday sites and wrestling. Recall also today traditional horse races at the Kazan hippodrome will be held in honor of the festival.