I. Metshin: "May our city always bloom!"

(Kazan, KZN.RU, October 24, by Adelya Galiyeva) Kazan City Hall awarded the most active participants of the "Blooming Kazan" project. Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin thanked more than 40 Tatarstan capital residents, CEOs of socially responsible businesses, organizations and social bodies for their contribution to the improvement of the city.

Deputy head of the Executive Committee, chairman of the External Improvements Department Igor Kulyazhev reminded that the past Universiade initiated the beautification of Kazan and made the city a great tourist attraction to visitors not only from Russia but from all over the world. "Visitors say that our city has become attractive not only because of its historical monuments, unique sports and cultural facilities, but also thanks to its floral decoration," said the committee chairman. Among the most important projects that have played a role in the greening of Kazan, the deputy head of the Executive Committee named "Green Record," in which 117,000 trees and 50,000 shrubs were planted last year.

In addition, the committee chairman noted that thanks to the "Blooming Kazan" project, launched on the initiative of the mayor of Tatarstan's capital last May, flower planting significantly increased. "Originally, it was planned to plant flowers in an area of 48 thousand square meters, but thanks to the participants' activity, the area has increased to 60 thousand square meters. More than 8,000 decorative flower pots have been put up, which is five times the number planned. The number of participants exceeded 1,500, and flowers were planted at two thousand sites," Igor Kulyazhev said, listing the most striking results.

Ilsur Metshin personally thanked each of the invited guests for their concern about the appearance of the city. Active residents of the capital of Tatarstan, as well as CEOs of socially responsible businesses, organizations and public bodies received letters of thanks from the Mayor of Kazan, and were given blossoming potted chrysanthemums in memory of the "Blooming Kazan" project.

The mayor expressed his regret that he was unable to personally shake hands with all those who contributed to the improvement of Kazan, noting that good results can only be achieved by joint effort on the part of all residents. "It's not about money. No matter how big its budget, no city on earth can sparkle like a diamond without involvement of its residents," said Ilsur Metshin.

"This is only the first step, and I am sure that next year, each of you will do even more to make Kazan blossom. May our city always bloom!" wished Ilsur Metshin.