In summer of next year in Paris Kazan will arrange a national holiday Sabantui. This was told by mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin as soon as at the municipality of the French capital he signed an agreement on development of tourism and cultural exchange between Paris and Kazan with the head of the municipality of Paris Ann Idalgo, – We have agreed with my colleague, Anne Idalgo, that this celebration will be held at the Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower. This will be a great opportunity to acquaint the Parisians with the customs and traditions of the Tatar people, – said Ilsur Metshin, and added: – By the way, now we are staruggling for that Sabantuy has been included in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Agreement provides for the establishment between the cities on a long term basis of bilateral ties. Kazan and Paris have agreed on planning joint actions, the exchange of information, cooperation in the tourism sector, investment activity, a number of cultural projects. So Paris city hall intends to organize at the capital of Tatarstan the exhibition of paintings from its rich collections. But this is only the beginning. According to Ilsur Metshin, Kazan has something to please the Parisians in the future. These are a magnificent Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Musa Jalil, and the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Alexander Sladkovsky, and more.

Mayors of Kazan and Paris have long been familiar: are both vice-presidents of the world organization “United Cities and Local Governments” and are often found at the forums of the community.

As for Kazan, the interest in Paris is quite understandable. After all, the French capital, as emphasized by the mayor of the Tatarstan capital is visited annually by 25 to 30 million people, is a leader in international tourism. This means that in Paris there is a lot to learn. Kazan is also aimed at developing this industry, and it is natural that in this regard, seeks to equal at the best examples, such as Paris, in order to use the best practice to attract tourists, promote a positive image of the city abroad.

“Rossiyskaya gazeta”