I. Metshin “It is necessary to organize the work front with pensioners in the framework of the project “Good Kazan”

(KZN.RU, November 24). Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, visited the Center of Culture and Sports “Moskovsky” (formerly HC Uritsky), which will be renovated next year. After becoming acquainted with the work of groups and communicate with members of veterans’ choir, the Mayor instructed the head of the Department of Education to modernize the club work for pensioners.

29 club groups are working in CCS “Moskovsky”, including 17 for children up to 14 years. 760 participants are engaged in groups, 506 of them - children under 14 years. Classes for older people are held here as well.

I. Metshin visited the rehearsal of one of the most active CCS “Moskovsky” collective: the folk vocal and choral ensemble “Ivushka”. For more than thirty-year history of the collective, the participants repeatedly won prizes at various competitions, performed at festivals around the country. Artists are particularly proud of the fact that they had a chance to take an active part in the cultural program of the Universiade: the choir gave concerts for 50 guests in the summer of 2013. Age of group members varies from 40 to 73 years. Rehearsals are held three times a week.

Vladimir Belousov, the head of the collective, showed the Mayor the accordion, which he presented to the staff on the anniversary in 2013. “I recognize it”, smiled Ilsur Metshin. “It’s noticeable that the accordion is being used”.

The Mayor pleased the collective by news about overhaul of the HC. He told pensioners that thanks to the decision of Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of Tatarstan, repairs will be carried out in the building of the center the following year. It is planned to repair the gym, to work on replacing the heating system, roof and floor. The repair the CCS “Moskovsky” will be held in parallel with the continuation of the reconstruction of Uritsky Park.

The building of the CCS “Moskovsky”, in which the “Ivushka” is based, was built in 1939. This cultural institution was not repaired or reconstructed during the time of operation.

Amateur artists in conversation with the Mayor proudly told him that they perform much, including to tourists: in Sviyazhsk, the family center "Kazan". His was very interested in the information that the collective brings together people from all over the city: some go to school in the CCS “Moskovsky” from Azino.

The Mayor asked Azat Abzalov, the head of the Department of Culture, how many elderly people are engaged in urban houses of culture. The answer had slightly discouraged him.

“About two to four thousand? It is very little. This is just one per cent of all. There are 295 thousand pensioners in the city”, surprised the Mayor.

Ilsur Metshin asked what is necessary to ensure that classes in the houses of culture will be visited by as many pensioners as possible. Ensemble members responded that they need a bright, charismatic leader and the right conditions for employment.

“We cannot change your life financially, because the pension is paid not by us. But to improve life... We do landscaping districts, parks, yards, driveways, roads, repair hospitals. But to all pensioners like you retain young souls we need to have everything around culture”, mused the Mayor.

“We would dance, do physical exercise, and draw, if such classes were exist. With great pleasure”, said one of the pensioners, supported by the whole collective.

Nailya Mustafina, the director of CCS “Moskovsky”, confirmed that there is a request from the older generation to dance classes, painting, and housekeeping and it would be great to expand the theme of classes for older people.

“We have to organize a separate front with our pensioners in the framework of the project “Good Kazan”, fill it with new content, for there were many such groups as “Ivushka” and people did not have to go across town to classes”, Ilsur Metshin gave such an order to the head of the Department of Culture.

In the end, the ensemble performed for I. Metshin one of its compositions.

Damir Fattakhov, the first deputy head of the Executive Committee, Sergey Mironov, the head of the Kirovsky and Moskovsky districts administration, also visited the CCS “Moskovsky”.