A Turkmen farmstead, WorldSkills, and Koresh: Sabantuy in Kazan

(KZN.RU, June 23, Ksenia Shvetsova). The main national Tatar holiday Sabantuy was celebrated in Kazan. Traditionally, one of the main sites of the festival was the Berezovaya Roscha in Mirny, where a large-scale theatrical performance took place on the stage. The guests of the holiday acquainted with the culture of different nations living in the republic, taste Tatar cuisine, take part in contests, games and sporting events, as well as see a concert of Tatar pop stars.

Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov, the President of Turkmenistan, Mintimer Shaimiev, the state counselor of the RT, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, Igor Barinov, the head of the Federal Agency for Nationality Affairs, Marat Akhmetov, the deputy prime minister of the RT and the minister of Agriculture and Food of the RT, Metropolitan of Tatarstan and Kazan Feofan, Mufti of Tatarstan Kamil khazrat Samigullin, members of the delegation of the Republic of Turkmenistan, and others were the honored guests of the holiday.

Despite the hot weather, a great number of residents and visitors of the city gathered for the holiday. They were greeted with songs and dances. The guests of the holiday could acquaint with the culture and life of the peoples living in Tatarstan, and to see what the different corners of the republic are famous for at the national farmsteads, which presented 11 municipal districts of the RT. Thus, at the entrance to the farmstead of the Alekseevsky district, the citizens were greeted with bell ringing. There, the guests of the holiday could learn to knit bath brooms, listen to Russian folk songs, and the children and their parents gladly got acquainted with a friendly horse named Yusuf.

This year, a pond with live fish was organized in the farmstead of the Rybno-Slobodskaya region. According to the tradition, the residents of Kukmor brought the famous Kukmorskie valenki and products of the local garment factory to Sabantuy.

This year, a site of Turkmenistan was organized in addition to traditional national farmsteads in the Berezovaya Roscha. The citizens could get acquainted with the culture of this country, listen to the Turkmen music and see the national costumes. “The Republics of Tatarstan and Turkmenistan are united by many years of cooperation, linguistic community, cultural traditions, a high level of trust and mutual understanding”, said Rustam Minnikhanov, welcoming the guests.

Almaz and Altyn, talismans of the WorldSkills Kazan 2019, came to the celebration and gladly welcomed the guests and took pictures with them.

Kazan citizens could buy various treats, souvenirs and much more in fair tents. Self-employed entrepreneurs were able to sell their products at the festive site.

An important part of Sabantuy was sports. The children competed in the relay, jumped in bags and participated in other traditional contests. Adults showed their skills in Koresh. The strongest batyr traditionally received a ram as a gift.

“We have heard so much about how Sabantuy is celebrated in Tatarstan that we wanted to see for ourselves”, said Svetlana, who came with her family for a weekend from Chuvashia. “We did not think that there would be so many people here”.

At this time, performances of Tatar pop stars and creative bands took place on Maidan, as well as a colorful theatrical prolog. The show began with a scene dedicated to working people. Among those who came to the Maidan there were members of the WorldSkills movement preparing for the world championship. The artists reminded the audience that the working man at all times occupied an honorable place in the history of the country.

The performance continued with the sowing scene. A beautiful white horse “plowed” the first furrow, the workers planted the field, and the spectators saw how the crops grown cultivated by caring hands.

The presentation could not do without a symbol of the national holiday: horse racing. Dashing riders tried to conquer the hearts of girls because the one who will be bolder and stronger than the others will receive a Sabantuy towel as a gift. Tatar craftswomen embroider their towels with a gold thread, and then give to riders they like.

In the final scene on Sabantuy, a celebration of valor and glory, guests from all regions and countries gathered to congratulate each other on the end of the sowing season.

Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, congratulated all residents of the city on the holiday. “Sabantuy is a holiday of farmers and grain-growers. Their work is the basis of the well-being and prosperity of our republic. It found a vivid reflection in the rich culture of the peoples of Russia, the preservation of which is cared for by Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia”, said R. Minnikhanov.

The President of the RT also read the greeting of the head of state to the participants of the holiday. “I heartily congratulate you on Sabantuy, the holiday of the plow. This ancient holiday, which came from the depths of the centuries, symbolizes respect for creative work. It is an important, integral part of our cultural code, the richest historical spiritual heritage. Paying tribute to the customs and traditions of ancestors, it is widely and lovingly celebrated by representatives of various nationalities in many regions of Russia. Tatarstan, the center of the celebration, has a special atmosphere of joy, openness, hospitality, sincere, friendly human communication today. I believe that everyone in the rich and varied program of Sabantuy will find something to do to their liking”, says V. Putin in his greeting.

Igor Barinov, the head of the Federal Agency for Nationality Affairs, joined in the congratulations. “Sabantuy, while remaining the calling card of the Tatar people, has long become an interethnic phenomenon and an all-Russian event”, he noted. “I wish you a great mood on this beautiful summer day, which seemed to be created for a holiday. Let Sabantuy bring love and well-being to every home!”

The holiday continued with a concert by art masters from Turkmenistan and Turetsky Choir with a special program.

This year, Sabantuy in Kazan is celebrated at several sites: Mirny, “Berezovaya Roscha” in Derbyshki and in at Lebyazhie Lake. Sabantuy will end with an equestrian holiday and horse racing at the Kazan Hippodrome.