Mintimer Shaimiev: “Archeologists are wholly devoted to their profession”

A solemn event dated to the Day of archeologist took place in Bolgar for the first time. Tatarstan’s State Counselor, Chairman of Board of Trustees of the Republican Foundation “Vozrozhdenie” (“Revival”) Mintimer Shaimiev arrived to congratulate archeologists on their professional holiday.

Speaking at the meeting, he noted that archeology is a profession that had been popular at all times. “There is no present and no future without past. We must pursue archeological research in a more ambitious way following all regulations,” Mintimer Shaimiev said.

According to Tatarstan’s State Counselor, excavations have been conducted only at the area of 4 hectares of the total 400-hectare Bolgar territory.

Mintimer Shaimiev urged archeologists to be actively involved in preservation of valuable objects of the Bolgar museum reserve.

The State Counselor noted that Bolgar and Sviyazhsk had become more popular among tourists due to creation of respective conditions. Archeological excavations are currently implemented on the territory of these two sacred places. “Our main task is to keep the found historical objects in a proper condition,” he stressed.

Moreover, Mintimer Shaimiev said that Tatarstan showed the whole Russian society that it is time to be busy with preservation of the cultural heritage. He congratulated archeologists on their professional holiday noting that they are wholly devoted to their occupation.

Finally, Mintimer Shaimiev handed letters of gratitude of the Republican Foundation for historical and cultural monuments revival to archeologists working in Bolgar and Sviyazhsk. He also informed that construction of archeological base would soon be finished in Bolgar. The base will enable investigating the ancient settlement all year round. It will be provided with modern equipment for quick investigation of archeological findings.