The year “Kazan is the capital of Turkic world-2014” opens in Kazan

On April 26 Tatarstan Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov, Secretary General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture Dusen Kaseinov, delegation from Eskisehir province led by the Governor, Chairman of the agency “Eskisehir – cultural capital of Turkic world” Güngör Azim Tuna took part in a solemn opening of the year “Kazan is the capital of Turkic world-2014” at Musa Dzhalil Opera and Ballet Theatre.

The opening ceremony began with theatrical performance and presentation of flags of countries – members of TÜRKSOY organization.

Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov welcomed the guests on behalf of Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, State Council and Government. He reminded that the decision about announcing Kazan the capital of Turkic world was made at the session of Permanent Council of Ministers of Culture of TÜRKSOY member countries.

In his welcoming speech, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that the decision about announcing one of the cities of TÜRKSOY member countries a cultural capital has established a good tradition and gave impetus to joining efforts of the artistic community for expanding cultural relations and arousing interest of the international community towards implementing joint cultural projects.

“Turkic world unites more than 40 nations living on a big Eurasian territory. Kazan has been the centre of consolidation and spiritual unity of Turkic ethnic groups in multi-ethnic Russia. I am sure that our ancient but ever-young capital will open another page in modern Turkic culture, full of interesting events,” Ildar Khalikov summarized.

The letter of Russian Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky addressed to Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov was read out later on.

TÜRKSOY Secretary General Dusen Kaseinov noted that all cities of Turkic world should be the centres to preserve the heritage of Turkic peoples. He also thanked Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov for offering Kazan as the capital of Turkic world-2014 during his visit to TÜRKSOY headquarters.