On April 12, Safa Park in Dubai hosted the third annual Sabantuy festival, a vibrant celebration filled with national spirit, traditional music, and dance. The event brought together both locals and tourists, offering a colorful showcase of the rich cultural heritage of the Tatar people.
The celebration was attended by Danis Shakirov, Head of the Executive Committee of the World Congress of the Tatars and Deputy of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan. He conveyed greetings on behalf of Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Vasil Shaykhraziev, Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan and Chairman of the National Council of the World Congress of the Tatars.
“I am confident that this year’s Sabantuy will be a truly memorable occasion for everyone involved. It offers a wonderful opportunity to connect, communicate, and discover the rich heritage of the Tatar people,” Shakirov said in his remarks.
Other honored guests included Fakhrutdin Kanyukaev, a member of the National Council of the World Congress of the Tatars and President of the Samara-based public organization Duslyk. Also in attendance were Oleg Fomin, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Dubai; Evgeny Kabanov, owner of FWB restaurant and general partner of the event from Palladium Group; and other distinguished participants.
The festival featured a variety of traditional Tatar games, including kuresh (national wrestling), tug-of-war, and other folk competitions. Visitors explored local vendor stalls, sampled national dishes, and admired handmade crafts.
A symbolic moment came when Rima Safiullova, head of the Tetyushi branches of the national organizations Ak Kalpak and Tatar Gailese, and official representative of the International Women’s Union in Tatarstan, presented bread and chak-chak made from premium “Rima” wheat flour.
The evening concluded with a lively concert program featuring performances by Ilnaz Safiullin, Chulpan Yusupova, DJ Radik (from Moscow), Ayrat Safin, and Renata Elyasova, who brought vibrant energy to the stage and captivated the audience.
