The National Council and Executive Committee of the World Congress of Tatars, along with their regional branches in Tatarstan, the Russian Federation, and neighboring countries, continue their major efforts to unite Tatars living outside the spiritual capital of Kazan and the Republic of Tatarstan — particularly in regions of traditional Tatar settlement in Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and others.
In the Year of the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945) and the 200th anniversary of the birth of the great Tatar and Russian scholar Kayum Nasyri, as well as in preparation for the 2026 anniversaries — the 140th of poet Gabdulla Tukay, and the 120th of Hero of the Soviet Union Musa Jalil and his fellow Tatar antifascist resistance members — the Congress emphasized the need to expand cultural and historical work across all regions of Russia, including the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, where a large and active Tatar community resides.
In late August, a delegation of Tatar public organizations from Yugra visited Kazan, Arsk, Tetyushi, and Vysokaya Gora, where they took part in meetings and forums of women’s associations, local historians, youth groups, and leaders of national-cultural autonomies.
To strengthen cooperation, the National Council and Executive Committee of the World Congress of Tatars, at the invitation of the Congress of Tatars of Yugra, sent to the region Professor Aidar A. Burkhanov, Chairman of the “Society of Tatar Local Historians” of Tatarstan, historian, archaeologist, orientalist, and member of the National Council.
The field meeting of the Congress of Tatars of Yugra, held on September 27, 2025, in the city of Pokachi, became a major event during Professor Burkhanov’s visit to several cities — Surgut, Kogalym, Pokachi, Nizhnevartovsk, and Izluchinsk.
Professor Burkhanov had previously visited Yugra multiple times — notably during the Northern Archaeological Forum in Khanty-Mansiysk (2000s–2010s) and in Nyagan in 2023 with an educational mission, resulting in a cooperation agreement between Tatarstan’s Society of Local Historians and Yugra’s Commonwealth of Nations organization.
During his 2025 trip, Burkhanov met with Ilnur Musin, Chairman of the Congress of Tatars of Yugra, as well as local leaders and activists in Kogalym, where he also delivered a lecture on the history of the Tatar people and the cities of the Golden Horde.
The first field meeting of the newly formed Congress of Tatars of Yugra took place in Pokachi, attended by representatives of Tatar organizations from various municipalities. The event began with a ceremonial session held at the Urman Ski Complex and included the presentation of awards and letters of appreciation. Guests also visited the Victory Park, national monuments, and the ethnographic museum at the local Children’s School of Arts.
A major role in organizing the event was played by Gulchachak Fanisovna Galimova, Deputy Director of a Pokachi school, Head of the local branch of the Assembly of the Peoples of Russia, and the Tugan Yak organization.
Although the Congress of Tatars of Yugra was formally established only in January 2025, the Tatar community has been actively working for many years to preserve and revive cultural traditions in the region.
“Kogalym, Pokachi, Langepas, Uray — we are a team! Like a locomotive, we lead other cities forward by example. We have a lot to show,”
— said Ilnur Musin, Chairman of the Congress of Tatars of Yugra.
Mayor Vladimir Tanenkov of Pokachi also emphasized:
“We are happy to welcome our guests. Such events should become a tradition — gatherings that strengthen friendship among the peoples of Russia.”
Representing the World Congress of Tatars, Professor Burkhanov greeted the participants and spoke about the importance of studying regional history and the development of local historical research in Yugra.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the establishment of the Society of Tatar Local Historians of Yugra, supported by the World Congress of Tatars. The new structure will be led by Rinat Salimgareevich Gumerov, a deputy and local historian from Langepas.
The meeting also included discussions on the organization of the traditional Sabantuy festival in the region. In 2026, Yugra is set to host the 3rd International Sabantuy on the Irtysh River, following events in Semey (Kazakhstan, 2022) and Omsk (2024). Additionally, the regional Sabantuy is planned to be held in Kogalym, a city renowned for its modern infrastructure and cultural venues supported by the LUKOIL company.
In conclusion, participants agreed that cultural preservation is achieved not only through festivals but also through lectures, academic conferences, and historical publications. A special lecture on the origins of the Tatar people by Professor Burkhanov was held at the Pokachi Children’s School of Arts.
The field meeting in Pokachi strengthened cooperation among Tatar organizations in northern Russia and reaffirmed the community’s commitment to preserving Tatar language, history, and culture far from their historical homeland.
