Mintimer Shaimiev: “We are in the homestretch”

Tatarstan State Counsellor, Chairman of the Board of guardians of the Republican fund for historical and cultural monuments Mintimer Shaimiev held a meeting dedicated to preparation of materials for presentation of the Bolgar historical and architectural complex and Sviyazhsk historical – architectural and natural-landscape complex for inclusion in UNESCO World heritage List.

Mintimer Shaimiev informed that the issues of inclusion of Bolgar and Sviyazhsk in UNESCO World heritage List would be considered at 37th session of UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Cambodia, Pnompenh on June 17-27, 2013.

“Bolgar and Sviyazhsk is the heritage of humanity. We have to present them to the public eye. It is our wonderful mission,” Mintimer Shaimiev said.

Aide to Tatarstan President on social issues, CEO of the Republican Fund “Revival” Tatyana Larionova presented the list of events where Bolgar and Sviyazhsk can be presented to people concerned. In particular, the International conference of UNESCO Associated schools, departments and centers on May 13-14 in Kazan; annual solemn event dedicated to official adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria on May 25 in Bolgar.

Tatyana Larionova continued that a special Internet portal about Bolgar and Sviyazhsk in Russian and English http://revival.tatarstan.ru would be launched and the booklet “Cultural heritage of Tatarstan: the ancient town of Bolgar and the island town of Sviyazhsk” in English and French will be published soon. Moreover, disks “The ancient town of Bolgar” and “The island town of Sviyazhsk” in English and French will be recorded.

Members of International expert board of “Revival” Fund, - Senior secretary of the Russian Commission for UNESCO affairs Grigory Ordzhonikidze and Chairman of the Russian national committee of the World cultural and natural heritage under the Russian Commission for UNESCO affairs Igor Makovetsky participated in discussion of issues on promoting information about Bolgar and Sviyazhsk.