A gala concert of the republican ethnocultural festival “Our Home is Tatarstan” was held in Kazan

(KZN.RU¸ November 4). The preservation of peace and harmony, the development of languages, cultures, and traditions of nations have always been and will be the most important priority in the Republic of Tatarstan. State programs are being implemented, cultural institutions are being built, and conditions are being created for the development of folk groups. Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, announced this today at the gala concert of the republican ethnocultural festival “Our Home is Tatarstan”.

The festival was held at the site of the Tatar Academic State Opera and Ballet Theater named after Musa Jalil. It is timed to the Day of National Unity.

This year the festival is held for the fifth time. The gala concert presents the best achievements of amateur and professional performers and creative collectives representing the culture, music, and choreography of the peoples living in Tatarstan. The festival is aimed at strengthening the unity, good-neighborliness, and spiritual mutual enrichment of the peoples living in the territory of the republic.

Participants in the final gala concert demonstrate the skills in five categories: vocal, choreography, artistic word, instrumental performance, folklore.

Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, Farid Mukhametshin, the chairman of the State Council of the RT, Alexey Pesoshin, the prime minister of the RT, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, Kamil hazrat Samigullin, the Mufti of the RT, representatives of the Orthodox clergy, representatives of other faiths, and others were the guests of the gala concert.

“It has become a good tradition to hold a gala concert of the ethnocultural festival “Our Home is Tatarstan” on the Day of National Unity”, said Rustam Minnikhanov in a welcoming speech. “Today the best collectives will perform on the main stage of the republic. The preservation of peace and harmony, the development of languages, cultures, and traditions of nations has always been and will be the most important priority for us. State programs are being implemented, cultural institutions are being built, and conditions are being created for the development of folk groups. The Assembly of the Peoples of Tatarstan unites more than 220 national-cultural organizations throughout the country. From year to year, the network of its branches and representative offices is expanding. In this work, the role of the World Congress of Tatars, the Russian National Cultural Association, and other organizations is significant. Much is being done to revive spirituality. This work is carried out in close cooperation with the Muslim Religious Board, the metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church, and other confessions”.

Rustam Minnikhanov reminded that today, a monument to St. Peter and Fevronia was opened in Kazan. It represents the family values of all nations and faiths.

“Both the government and society, we all have an understanding that the unity of nations at all times has been and still remains a reliable basis for the progressive development of our republic and all of Russia”, said Rustam Minnikhanov. “We are strong only when we act together, live in friendship and harmony. More than 400 years ago, thanks to the courage, resilience, and determination of the militias, Russia avoided a national catastrophe. The peoples of the Volga region, the Tatars, the Chuvash, the Mari, the Udmurts, who fought shoulder to shoulder with the Russians in the ranks of the liberators of Moscow under the authority of Minin and Pozharsky, made a great contribution to this. The folk shrine, the Our Lady of Kazan Icon, also played a significant role that time”.

Rustam Minnikhanov noted that “our unity is especially important when the enemies of Russia again rely on introducing a split into society, separating people through ethnic and religious aspects”.

As part of the gala concert, the state awards of the RT were also presented, reports the press service of the President of the RT.

Rustam Minnikhanov presented especially distinguished citizens who contributed to the strengthening of peace and harmony, friendship of peoples, with the gratitude of the President of the RT, the honorary titles “Honored Worker of Culture of the RT”, etc.

In addition, cash certificates were presented to folk art groups.