Rustam Minnikhanov: We should think of rich heritage of Altai from historical and practical point of view

On July 20, at the opening of the international forum “Altai Civilization and Related Peoples of Altaic Language Family” in Bishkek, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that the history of great Eurasian steppe and dozens of peoples living on its territory is the history of the widest cultural cooperation between peoples of the East and the West.  

The forum discusses results of scientific researches, educational and cultural projects aimed at strengthening of humanitarian connections of Eurasian peoples on the basis of common Altai language,    ethnogenetic, historical and cultural relations.

In his welcoming speech, the President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev said that the forum is very important for Kirghiz people. He noted that Altai is a cradle of human civilization. However, the history of ancient Altai, its archeological findings do not enjoy due attention.

Atambayev offered to build a historical and cultural center “Altai civilization” in collaboration with Russia and countries of Altaic language family and open the Institute of Altai civilization in Bishkek to coordinate the implementation of a joint research programme and favour expansion of scientific, educational and cultural cooperation.

Rustam Minnikhanov thanked Almazbek Atambayev for the invitation to the forum that gathered best scientists, historians, archeologists, ethnographers and linguists from different countries. He stressed that strengthening of the Eurasian space is a strategic task of the states located on this vast territory.

Minnikhanov noted that Big Altai is ancestral homeland of many cultures, including Turkic culture. Citizens of the Eurasian space are facing different challenges today, such as Islamic radicalism.

Rustam Minnikhanov expressed his confidence that the exchange of visits will favour further expansion of Tatarstan-Kyrgyz cooperation.