March 28, 2015, in the city of Yoshkar-Ola a final round and Gala Concert of the II Interregional Festival Competition of Tatar folk groups “Hulkym Miras” (“Heritage of my people”) passed brilliantly. The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Media and Ethnic Affairs of the Republic of Mari El, the Republican center of Tatar culture of Mari El aimed to preserve, develop and popularize the Tatar folk traditions.

Contestants from Tatarstan, Chuvashia, Mari El, Nizhny Novgorod and Kirov regions competed in categories: “folk-ritual composition”, “singing”, “Bait and munadzhaty”, “folk instruments”, “choreography”.

Performances of ensembles and soloists were evaluated by representative jury: Kayumova E.R. (Chairman) – Ph.D., senior scientist of the National Centre for Development of Traditional Culture, member of the Russian Folklore Union and the International Association of folklorists (USA); Khamidullina F.N. – Chief Specialist of Liaison with regional and municipal cultural institutions of RT SRTK; Gerasimov O.M. – Doctor of Arts, Professor of Mari State University; Smirnov V.V. – Honored

Artist of the Republic of Mari El; Smirnova N.V.. – Honored Artist of the Republic of Mari El, professor college of culture and arts named after I.S. Palanteya.

Recreating on the scene ancient ceremonies and games, creative teams used the original household items: wooden chests, embroidered towels, rugs, etc. Instrumentalists showed their art of playing harmonics (Talianki, khromka), gusli, kurai, tash sybyly (ocarina). Most number of participants were among the performers of folk songs. The talents opened among the dancers as well.

At the end of a grand display, a Gala Concert took place. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests: Vasjutin M.Z. – Minister of Culture, Media and Ethnic Affairs of the Republic of Mari El; Gilmutdinov I.I. – Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Federal National-Cultural Autonomy of Tatars.

The winners were awarded with diplomas and prizes. Organizers did their best, all the participants received gifts. Thanks to the enthusiasm and energy of the friendly team of the Center of Tatar culture of Mari El: I.Z. Gaisina (Director),R. Sh. Musina (Dep. Director), G.G. Magsumyanova (art. director) The festival-competition was held at a high level and became a true celebration of Tatar folklore.

Over the many years of fruitful cooperation in preservation of national cultures and active participation in the festival-competition “Hulkym Miras” the specialists of the Republican center of traditional culture – Kayumova E.R. and F.N. Khamidullina were awarded Letters of thanks from the Ministry of Culture, Media and Ethnic Affairs of the Republic of Mari El.

Information from the National Centre for Development of Traditional Culture