In Astrakhan, on the territory of the Central Stadium, the anniversary regional holiday Sabantuy is celebrated today. This year it is being held in the framework of the 30th anniversary of the regional society of the Tatar culture “Duslyk”.
Numerous guests from districts and cities of the region gathered at the plow festival. The Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan, Chairman of the National Council of the World Tatar Congress Vasil Shaikhrasiyev also came to congratulate Astrakhanians on this event.
Before the official opening of Sabantuy Vasil Shayhraziev met with the acting governor of the Astrakhan region Igor Babushkin. The meeting discussed the issues of the Regional Sabantui – 2019, it was said about the positive experience of holding the federal Sabantui in Astrakhan in 2017, about friendship, agreement between the subjects. Vasil Shaikhraziev together with the acting governor also took part in the celebration of the Navy Day on the Caspian Flotilla.
For residents of Astrakhan, the regional Sabantuy has long become a nationwide and is one of the most vibrant and colorful holidays. Astrakhan region is famous for its centuries-old traditions of friendship and mutual respect between representatives of all nationalities living in the region.
By tradition, for the guests of the event on this day, performances of creative teams of the Astrakhan region and Tatarstan are held, as well as sports competitions, including the national wrestling kuresh. Anyone can compete in agility and strength: arm-wrestling, in driving on a swinging log, rope pulling, fighting bags, lifting weights and other sports. All winners and participants have received deserved gifts and prizes.
In addition, there are game and interactive platforms at the festival. For example, in one of them, everyone will be able to demonstrate their vocal abilities in the Tatar language.
As part of the holiday, national farmsteads were organized. Guests could look inside the hut, see the decorations and treat themselves to traditional dishes.
Sabantuy on the Astrakhan land runs for 30 years, and in 2008 and 2017, together with the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Federal Sabantui was organized and held.
Tatars are the third largest ethnic group in the Astrakhan region, accounting for about 7% of its population. Although some Tatars moved to the region from the Upper Volga after the fall of the Astrakhan Khanate, census data gives an indication of the approximate size of the Astrakhan-Tatar community: 2002, census: 70,590 (7.0%), 2010, census: 60,523 (6 , 6%). According to approximate calculations, for 2017, the total number of Tatars in the region is 77,142 people (7.4%).
