Last bell rings for 5.5 thousand Kazan high school graduates

(Kazan, KZN.RU, May 21, by Albert Murtazin). The last bell rang for 5,555 school leavers in Kazan today. During the solemn ceremony, which was held in front of Kazan Arena, Acting President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, representatives of the Executive Committee and district administrations, deputies, business leaders and university professors congratulated the graduates.

"Today is a very exciting day, not only for you but for all of us. School is behind you, adulthood is ahead. Some of you will continue to study, some will start a career, and some will start a family. This is your choice. Our task is to create conditions for you to make you happy and to make our republic and its capital competitive. You are the future of Tatarstan, the future of Russia. Our universities, schools and enterprises need you," said the head of the republic, congratulating the graduates.

Artist groups provided entertainment. The highlight of the event was the ceremonial ringing of the bell from the stage, with more than 5.5 thousand young people joining in. A Kazan first grader rang the bell while sitting in the arms of Rustam Minnikhanov, following which the graduates released over 5,000 balloons into the sky. The citywide celebration was concluded with a performance by Russia's popular group "Pizza."