At the National Library of Tatarstan, an exhibition showcasing illustrations of Gabdulla Tukay’s Shurale has been launched. It features 12 works created by 20th-century artists, each depicting the famous character from the classic tale. The exhibition will remain in Kazan until January 11, after which it will begin touring the districts of the republic.

“Gabdulla Tukay is a figure to whom we do not devote enough attention in the modern world. We began thinking about how we could work with his writings and biography. We created an exhibition where visitors can see how different artists interpreted Shurale. Domestic book graphics are a phenomenon recognized worldwide,” said publisher and co-founder of the Centre for Contemporary Culture “Smena,” the exhibition curator Kirill Maevsky.

The exhibition includes 12 pieces, each portraying Shurale in a unique artistic interpretation. On the reverse side of each piece, visitors can read the history of the image in both Russian and Tatar. The earliest work dates back to 1913.

He conducted a tour for the guests at the opening ceremony, where he spoke about the history behind the artworks and the artists who illustrated Shurale.