On January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., a ceremonial unveiling of a memorial plaque will take place at the building of the M. Salimzhanov House of Actors in memory of Rashida Ziganshina (1917–2003) — actress, playwright, public figure, and People’s Artist of the RSFSR and the Tatar ASSR. From 1971 to 1988, she headed the Tatar branch of the All-Russian Theatrical Society.
The unveiling of the memorial plaque will be held as part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation (VTO) and within the framework of initiatives to install memorial plaques honoring outstanding figures of culture and the arts. The event will take place on January 17 — Artist’s Day, a new professional holiday for theater, film, and circus artists, as well as musicians and pop performers, which will be celebrated for the first time starting in 2026.
The unveiling of the memorial plaque will mark a bright beginning of the celebrations dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation (VTO) in the Republic of Tatarstan.
Rashida Abdullazyanovna Ziganshina was born on October 17, 1917, in Kazan. In 1936, she graduated from the Tatar Technical School of Arts. From 1936 until the end of her life, she performed at the G. Kamal Tatar State Academic Theatre. Over more than 65 years of work in the theater, she played over 120 roles. From 1964 to 1975, she served as the theatre’s director. Between 1971 and 1988, she led the Tatar branch of the All-Russian Theatrical Society. In 1991, she founded the acting group “Insaniyat” (“Mercy”), which brought together veteran stage actors.
From the earliest years of the Union of Theatre Workers of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rashida Ziganshina was elected as a member of the board, deputy chairperson, later chairperson, and also served as a member of the presidium of the All-Russian Theatrical Society. For nearly 20 years, she headed the actors’ creative union. This period became the most productive and eventful time in the history of the Union and the House of Actors. She was married to the Tatar playwright, publicist, and director Riza Ishmurat (1903–1995). Her grandson is composer, conductor, and clarinetist Airat Ishmuratov.
The ceremonial unveiling of the memorial plaque will take place on January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the following address:
37 Shchapova Street, Kazan (M. Salimzhanov House of Actors).
Source: mincult.tatarstan.ru
