Yesterday the Tatars of Ulyanovsk celebrated the 20th anniversary of the formation of the regional national-cultural autonomy. A number of events dedicated to this date were held in the capital of the region. The delegation of Tatarstan came to congratulate the compatriots, which included representatives of the republic’s leadership, as well as members of the executive committee of the World Congress of Tatars.

“Twenty years have passed since the establishment of the autonomy of the Tatars in Ulyanovsk. But we have come not only to celebrate, but also to help our compatriots, to support them during this great holiday, “Vasil Shaykhraziev,  RT  deputy prime minister, chairman of the national council ” Milli Shura “, told Tatar-inform agency.

The delegation of Tatarstan got acquainted with the modern life of the Tatars of Ulyanovsk. The guests visited the editorial office of the regional Tatar-language newspaper “Omet” (“Hope”). “The newspaper has been published since 1989, with a circulation of 6,000 copies, 90 percent of them are subscribed, 10 percent through kiosks. I was amazed. The newspaper comes out only in the Tatar language, and there is a great demand among our Tatars, “Vasil Shaykhraziyev said.

In addition, the Tatarstanians visited the office of the Tatar autonomy of Ulyanovsk and the Tatar House of Culture.

Vasil Shaykhraziev said that the authorities of the City of Ulyanovsk highly appreciate the activities of the Tatar autonomy and set it as an example to other national organizations operating in the region. In the Ulyanovsk region there is the Tatar national press, there is television, Tatar schools work. “Governor Sergei Morozov also has great support for the autonomy, always helps,” Vasil Shaykhraziyev said in a conversation with Tatar-inform.

“The governor was on a business trip and could not take part in the jubilee events, but there was  his first deputy, he delivered warm words on behalf of the head of the region, we handed out letters of thanks to the active members of the autonomy,” V. Shaikhraziyev said. The anniversary passed in one of the largest concert halls of the city of Ulyanovsk. “On behalf of our President Rustam Nurgaliyevich, on behalf of the World Tatar Congress, gifts of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Government of the Republic, as well as gifts of the Congress were presented to the leaders of the autonomy. We must identify such exemplary regions, help them and support them, “the chairman of the National Council of Milli Shura  believes.

Vasil Shaihraziev also noted that Tatars of Ulyanovsk today need a culture house with a greater capacity. “The current Tatar House of Culture for only 200 people, but there is a large territory, it would be possible to attach more buildings on both sides. In Dimitrovgrad there is a Tatar school, but they do not have a gym. We intend to provide financial assistance in resolving these issues, “said V. Shaikhraziev. – The leadership of the Ulyanovsk region also  helps. The newspaper “Omet” receives annual funding of 1 million rubles from the regional budget, television works, the school works – they are helped, thank the leadership, “he said.

According to the 2010 population census, today in the Ulyanovsk region the Tatars occupy the second place among the various nationalities living in the region. The number of Tatars is 12.2 percent of the region’s population.