October 3, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov during his working visit to Astana met with heads of Tatar public organizations of Kazakhstan. The meeting was held in a media center “Kazmedia”.
According to the population census of 2009, today in Kazakhstan there are more than 204 thousand Tatars. There are two associations in the republic, uniting a number of Tatar public organizations and national-cultural centers.
As part of a small exhibition, Rustam Minnikhanov informed about the most promising projects implemented in Kazakhstan today by local Tatars. Among them – holding of the International Festival
of Tatar art “Irtysh monnary” in Semei, preparation and publication of monthly public newspaper in the Tatar and Russian languages “Zhidepulat Tatarlar”, studying life and work of the great Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukai during his life in Uralsk town (Kazakhstan) and others.
Then, Rustam Minnikhanov took part in launching ceremony of the World Tatar Internet Radio “Tatar Avaza”. The main objective of this project – uniting Tatar writers, who live in different countries, and to familiarize the audience with their creativity.
Addressing the meeting, Rustam Minnikhanov noted that the Tatars of Kazakhstan are making a worthy contribution to the preservation of the Tatar language and culture and multiplication of spiritual values. Kazakh and Tatar peoples unite kinship, RT President said, we have similar languages and traditions, religion.
He expressed special thanks to the republic’s leadership for support of local Tatars and creation of conditions for preservation and development of
their culture. So, this year the national holiday Sabantui was held in 20 cities of Kazakhstan.
Rustam Minnikhanov said that today several projects are being implementing to strengthen ties with the Tatars worldwide: developing new methods of online study of the Tatar language, a satellite TV channel “TNV-Planet» is operating. Most of the work in this direction is being done by the Executive Committee of the World Congress of Tatars.
Tatarstan President thanked the Tatar community activists for their activities carried out for the benefit of its people. “If we do not communicate, do not work together to solve our problems, we all lose. According to statistics, each year a few dozen languages in the world disappear. But I think that thanks to our joint efforts the Tatar language for a very long time will be heard in various parts of the world “, – he stressed.
In their speeches the representatives of the Tatar community thanked Rustam Minnikhanov for support of the Tatars living in Kazakhstan.
They told Tatarstan President about holding various cultural and educational activities designed to preserve the identity of the local Tatars.
Besides, Rustam Minnikhanov was informed about business forms of cooperation between Tatarstan and Kazakhstan businessmen, and also asked for assistance in developing business contacts.
Finally, Rustam Minnikhanov presented state awards of the Republic of Tatarstan and Gratitude letters from Tatarstan President to the most distinguished leaders of Tatar organizations. Also, memorable gifts were awarded a silver prize-winner of the Olympic Games in Rio Guzel Manyurova (wrestling) and winner of the gold medal of the Paralympic Games 2016 Zulfiya Gabidullina (swimming).
Press Service of RT President
Bulat Nizameev
