Rustam Minnikhanov: “We have no future without villages”

On March 23 President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov participated in a plenary session of 2nd All-Russia meeting of entrepreneurs of Tatar villages. Before the meeting Rustam Minnikhanov looked over the exposition at G.Kamal theatre. Different products and souvenirs of rural entrepreneurs were presented at the exhibition.

430 rural entrepreneurs from Tatarstan and 31 Russian regions gathered at the event. The first meeting of entrepreneurs of Tatar villages was held in Kazan on March 24-25 last year.

Main activities of the World Congress of Tatars are preservation and development of Tatar villages. In 2008 the executive committee of the Congress initiated foundation of All-Russia Association of Tatar villages. In 2010 it was reorganised into “Tatar villages of Russia”.

The organisation actively cooperates with rural entrepreneurs from different regions. Its priority activity is assistance to social, economic and spiritual development of Tatar villages in Russia, solution of problems connected with revival and preservation of national culture, education and rural life.

Rustam Minnikhanov said that All-Russia meeting of entrepreneurs is a good way for discussing problems and making decisions. He emphasized special role of rural lifestyle in preservation of culture, language and traditions of any nation. He believes that the future of rural areas depends on activity of entrepreneurs to a large extent.

Tatarstan President focused on the problem of Tatar language preservation. He suggested joining efforts of Tatars from different regions and making up a programme to be considered at the federal level.

According to Rustam Minnikhanov, another urgent problem is preservation and studying of the history of Tatar villages.