Deputy Prime Minister of RT, Chairman of the National Council of the World Congress of Tatars Vasil Shaikhraziev is on a working visit to Paris. Today he spoke with the Tatar community of France. The trade representative of the Russian Federation in France Alexander Turov also took part in the meeting.

Vasil Shaihraziev conveyed greetings to the Tatars of France from Tatarstan, and also from the Tatars of Finland. He noted that the Tatars in the world in number are the second nation.

A.Turov also greeted the Tatars, who gathered for a meeting in the building of the Trade Representation of the Republic of Tatarstan in France, noted that they were glad to receive the dear guests.

“The Tatars are a very industrious and efficient nation. You are able to preserve what you have, and also respect the representatives of other nationalities. You have achieved a lot in entrepreneurship, but do not forget about traditions. We are pleased with our cooperation with the Congress, as well as with the Tatar organization in France, “said Alexander Turov and expressed his gratitude and wished success.

Vasil Shaihraziev told the Tatars gathered at the round table about the activities of the Congress, the National Council. Then he acquainted them with forthcoming plans: about Sabantui, about the Forum of religious figures, about the Forum of Youth.

Vasil Shaykhraziev also spoke about the Alliance of Tatars of Europe and about their little anniversary, which was celebrated only recently, and also for the first time in Budapest the contest “Tatar kyzi”.

Deputy Chairman of the Association of Tatars “House France-Tatarstan” Alfiya Aizatova stopped at the history of the appearance of the Tatars in France. She told about her projects, implemented in life, as well as about the national events that are being held in other cities of France.

But with regret noted that native Tatar language is gradually forgotten. She said the need to promote among other nations national dishes, as well as national clothing.

According to Alfiya Aizatova, there are no problems with Tatar language textbooks. The Congress provides and tries to help everyone with whatever issue they have turned. “Many thanks that you do not leave our requests without attention,” she said.

The most important question that worries Tatars abroad is, of course, the question of preserving the native language. Especially great is the desire to learn the language of their ancestors from the Tatar youth of France. Vasil Shaihraziev in his turn told about the program of studying the Tatar language on-line “Ana tel”. And he called on the Tatars of France to use this instrument.

Mother tongue is the mother tongue. We must know it. A man must know his ancestors up to the seventh tribe. The chain of generations should not be interrupted, – said Vasil Shaykhraziev.

The head of the association of ideological perspectives Louisa Bukharaeva spoke about the promotion of Tatar culture among other peoples. She also dwelt on the work of the outstanding Russian poet, prose writer, publicist Ravil Bukharaev.

Opera singer Timur Abdekeyev recently moved to Paris. At the meeting, he told about himself and invited sculptor Alfiz Sabirov to the exhibition, which opened May 3 in Paris and will last until May 18.

At the end of the meeting, a memorable photo was taken

Reference

 In France Tatars appeared in the middle of XX century.

In recent years, a new wave of emigration of the Tatars, who are leaving for work or study in France, has intensified. Once abroad, they seek to maintain contact with the motherland and the local Tatar community.

At present, about 700 Tatars live in France. Practically, all of them are representatives of a new wave of emigration. The Tatar movement here began with the creation of the Alliance of Tatars of Europe in 2013. To date, the Association of Tatars “House France-Tatarstan” functions. Chairman is the representative of the Republic of Tatarstan in the French Republic Yusupov Iskander Usmanovich. The deputies are Alfiya Aizatova, Rishat Sabitov. For today, communication with the Tatars from Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Brittany (France region), Ex-Provence, Nice, Strasbourg, various cities of the Paris region, from the Var region, Toulon, from the city of Lille is maintained.

The aim of the Tatar community of France is to preserve the national identity, the Tatar language and its transfer to the younger generation, as well as the acquaintance of French citizens with the history, customs and traditions of the Tatar people.

For such a short time, the community has already managed to hold a number of events: the II Congress of the Alliance of Tatars of Europe, the evenings of the Tatar cuisine, performances at INALCO, meetings with Tatar bloggers, performances of local musicians, field trips, master classes in Tatar dances, Sabantuy the third time). A large amount of work was done in the archives, helping in  filming of the film about the Tatars, participants in the French resistance. In 2017 in France Days of the Tatar culture were held, in May 2017 Sabantuy was held on the Field of Mars.

The Executive Committee of the World Congress of Tatars maintains close ties with the Tatar Diaspora