Chulpan Khamatova and Alisher Usmanov became Honorary Citizens of Kazan

(KZN.RU, June 21, Irina Smirnova). The book “Honorary Citizens of Kazan” was replenished with new names. Honored titles were given to Chulpan Khamatova, a well-known actress of theater and cinema and a native of Kazan, and Alisher Usmanov, a Russian entrepreneur and philanthropist. Deputies of the Kazan City Duma decided it at the today’s meeting of the XVII session.

Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of the capital of the RT, nominated candidates for consideration of the Kazan City Duma in accordance with the Regulations on the title “Honorary Citizen of Kazan”. “According to the regulations, this honorary title is appropriated to people who glorify Kazan with their deeds and have the deserved authority with citizens of the city and the republic. But today is a special case. The nominations of two exceptional people, which are well-known throughout the whole world, are being introduced. But they have a special attitude towards Kazan and a huge contribution to the charitable affairs of the city and the republic”, said I. Metshin.

The Mayor marked that the conferment of the title “Honorary Citizen of Kazan” takes place in the holy month of Ramadan, when it is especially important to do good deeds. And charity is a way of life for the nominated candidatures.

Ilsur Metshin, representing Alisher Usmanov, noted his numerous services in business and charity. “The ransom of the most valuable collection of Rostropovich and Vishnevskaya and the return of it to Russia; the return of world art masterpieces to the Pushkin Museum; the ransom of more than 500 Soviet cartoons of about 80 hours duration and their transfer to the children's channel “Bibigon”. All of it is only a small part of the huge work that Alisher Usmanov is constantly leading”.

The Mayor reminded that for the last 15 years, Alisher Usmanov is closely connected with Tatarstan and its capital. During this time, he himself and the companies, in which he is a shareholder, have rendered and continue to provide serious support to a number of significant humanitarian projects, implemented on the territory of the republic. In particular, the Mayor highly appreciated the role that Alisher Usmanov played during Kazan's struggle for the right to host the Universiade-2013. Alisher Usmanov actively promoted Kazan in all international sports organizations. When the decision to hold the Universiade was made, he provided a weighty support in preparing for international student games.

In 2014, the world championship in fencing took place in Kazan by the initiative of Alisher Usmanov. Representatives of 100 countries of the world took part in it, which also contributed to the advancement of Kazan, the increase of its tourist appeal.

In addition, “Megafon” and “Mail.ru”, whose shareholder and ideologist is Alisher Usmanov, implement many social projects in the territory of Kazan.

“I would like to especially highlight the contribution that he makes to the development of spiritual and moral values, interethnic and religious relations and traditions”, marked Ilsur Metshin. “Last year, Alisher Usmanov donated 500 million rubles for the construction of the Bulgarian Islamic Academy. Before that, he sent hundreds of millions rubles for the construction of the White Mosque in Bolgar”.

Alisher Usmanov also contributed to the revival of the Orthodox Church of Exaltation and Holy Cross, where the icon of Our Lady of Kazan, an Orthodox shrine, is kept.

The name of Chulpan Khamatova, a talented actress and an outstanding public figure, is widely known not only in Kazan and the republic but also in the country and abroad. The actress of theater and cinema, deputy art director of the Moscow Academic Theater “Sovremennik” was born and studied in Kazan. Her creativity is appreciated by numerous awards, orders, and titles: the “Chaika”, “Golden Mask”, “Idol”, “Coronation”, “TEFI”, “Golden Eagle”, “Crystal Turandot” awards, the Order of Friendship.

Charity holds one of the central places in the social life of the actress. In 2006, Chulpan Khamatova became a co-founder of the charity fund for children with oncological and other serious diseases “Give Life”. Thousands of children's lives were saved for 10 years. Hundreds of thousands of people around the country and in the world began to participate in charity. Only in 2017, more than one billion rubles were collected.

“We are proud that Chulpan Khamatova is a native of our city, and we are glad that she doesn’t forget about Kazan. Chulpan did a lot to support the hospice named after Angela Vavilova and to treat many Kazan children”, said I. Metshin. In 2016, Chulpan Khamatova supported the holding of the forum “Good Kazan: the development of a charity culture”, making a video message, in which she expressed her hope that Kazan could become the capital of good along with the status of the third capital of Russia. In May 2017, a large-scale charitable race “Legal Run Kazan” took place, in which more than 1000 people participated, and all the funds collected during the race in Kazan were transferred to the fund “Give Life”.

“Chulpan’s charity activity, which she has been leading for more than 10 years, has a huge social significance and causes a feeling of great respect and gratitude”, said Ilsur Metshin.

Deputies supported the proposal of the Mayor and decided to award Chulpan Khamatova and Alisher Usmanov the title of “Honorary Citizen of Kazan”. Presentation of muniments, certificates of the Honorary Citizen of Kazan, and marks of “Honorary Citizen of Kazan” will be organized on City Day on August 30.