Sabantuy was celebrated in Kazan with peacocks, Colombian fans and with the sounds of Talyanka

(KZN.RU, June 23, Alsu Safina). Today the Tatar national holiday Sabantuy is taking place in Kazan in the Berezovaya Roscha near the Mirny Settlement and at the Lebyazhie Lake. This year, the participants of the large-scale festivities in the Privolzhsky district were not only Kazan but also Colombian fans who arrived for tomorrow's match of their team with the Polish team. Also, there were about 50 foreign journalists covering the FIFA World Cup-2018. They were treated with a caravan and a chak-chak at the entrance to the Sabantuy site.

Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, Leila Fazleeva, the deputy prime minister of the RT, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, Renat Timerzyanov, the chief federal inspector for the RT, Metropolitan of Tatarstan and Kazan Feofan, Mufti of Tatarstan Kamil khazrat Samigullin, and others were guests of Sabantuy.

In the morning, residents and guests of the city began to come to the Berezovaya Roscha. They were expected on rural farmsteads. This year, the life and traditions of residents of 11 municipal districts of the republic were presented on Sabantuy. Each district tried to show everything that their land and masters are famous for.

Another Tatarstan festival “Skorlupino” also took place in the farmstead of the Pestrechinsky district. The eggs of different birds were presented there: ostrich, quail, swallow, pheasant, and some others. There was also a mini-zoo with goats, sheep, yak calf, foal, and even two peacocks.

At the entrance to the farmstead, Rustam Minnikhanov and Shamil Tarpishchev tied up embroidered towels on a long stick. Traditionally, people always went around the village before Sabantuy collecting presents and then handed them to the winners of the competitions. The guests examined the farmstead and got acquainted with the works of the masters.

In the farmstead of the Buinsky district, a real Kamyr-batyr, a hero of a Tatar fairy tale, was made of the flour. Treats, medicinal herbs, honey, sweets, and other products of their own production were presented in each farmstead.

In the meantime, there were competitions on the kuresh fight in the farmstead of the Tyulyachinsky district. The batyr received a ram, as usual.

Of course, the football theme was reflected in the entertainment this year. For example, on the site of Laishevsky district, participants were offered to score balls in a small gate on a miniature football field. The first on the field was the Mayor of Kazan, who sent all three balls into the gate. Metropolitan Feofan, Kamil khazrat, and Shamil Tarpishchev also tried their skills. A group of cheerleaders performed next to the football pitch. Other farmsteads had their own football fields. In addition, a lot of football photo-zones were waiting for the guests. There you could take a picture with Wolf Zabivaka, the talisman of the World Football Championship. One of the memorable objects of decoration were giant boots with the coat of arms of Laishevsky district.

The main action took place on the Maidan. The guests saw a theatrical prolog: a fairy tale about a Talyanka.

After that, Rustam Minnikhanov and Ilsur Metshin congratulated the audience on the occasion. The head of the republic drew attention to the fact that this year the celebration of Sabantuy will take place in 58 regions of the country and 30 countries of the world. He wished everyone a beautiful holiday. “We waited for the holiday, we invited our closest friends and relatives to Sabantuy”, he said. “This is an opportunity to show our traditions, culture, sport, and unity”.

Rustam Minnikhanov expressed special gratitude to the administration of Kazan for the well-prepared Sabantuy. He also noted that the regions of the republic, music bands, sportsmen, and others were also well-prepared for the holiday.

Ilsur Metshin noted that this is the most beloved and long-awaited holiday of the Tatar people. “I wish you all good, health, and prosperity!”, said the Mayor.

Renat Timerzyanov, the chief federal inspector for the RT, read out the greeting of Mikhail Babich, the authorized representative of the President of the RF in the Volga Federal District.

The holiday continued on the Maidan, where they will choose the main batyr of the Kazan holiday. Winners in all weight categories (6 categories among men and 5 categories among boys) will receive valuable prizes. Also, the absolute champion of the tournament will be chosen. He will receive a traditional prize: a ram and a car.

Those who came to the festival actively participated in traditional competitions, such as running in bags, fighting on sagged bags and many others. They listened to performances of creative bands of the districts. A lot of entertainment was prepared for children as well.

It is expected that the holiday will last until 4 pm.