UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova: Now Bolgar complex belongs not only to Russia and Tatarstan but to the whole world

On August 20, at a solemn event dedicated to inclusion of Bolgar in UNESCO World Heritage List, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that Bolgar historical and architectural complex became the 1002nd UNESCO World Heritage site.

Bolgar historical and archeological complex was included in UNESCO World Heritage List in accordance with the decision of the 38th session of UNESCO World heritage committee in June.

UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, Permanent Representative of UNESCO in Russia Eleonora Metrofanova took part in the solemn event held at Tatar State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Making her welcoming speech, Irina Bokova noted that Russia celebrates the 60th anniversary of inclusion in UNESCO. “Our relationships with Russia in the sphere of preservation of historical and cultural heritage, and cooperation with Tatarstan is very important,” Irina Bokova said.

She congratulated Russian and Tatarstan Government and citizens on this important event and added that she arrived to present the certificate personally by the invitation of State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev. “I know how much he did for including Bolgar complex in UNESCO heritage list. It is our common success, now Bolgar complex belongs not only to Russia and Tatarstan but to the whole world,” UNESCO Director General said. She handed the certificate to Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov.

Rustam Minnikhanov reminded participants of the event that Bolgar is a place where Islam was voluntarily adopted on the most Northern area of Eurasia, and a spiritual centre of Muslims.

“The inclusion of Bolgar in UNESCO World Heritage List confirms its global value. It is a long-awaited victory for us, we have been going towards it for many years. When we founded “Revival” Foundation and approved the complex programme of revival of Bolgar and Sviyazhsk we had a real opportunity to work on inclusion of Bolgar in UNESCO World Heritage List. It is, first of all, the achievement of our first President, State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev. And today we see a wonderful tourist infrastructure created in Bolgar,” Rustam Minnikhanov said.

“The inclusion of Bolgar in UNESCO World Heritage List is the result of thorough work of Russian, Tatarstan and international experts,” Rustam Minnikhanov added.

Tatarstan President thanked everyone, who took part in such important work.

Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, in his turn, said that work on revival of Bolgar and Sviyazhsk became a nation-wide cause. He noted that small and big companies and businessmen from the republic and outside take part in reconstruction of historical and cultural sites.

“On this solemn day let me, dear benefactors, thank you for your good deeds and wish you wellbeing,” Mintimer Shaimiev summarized.