Mintimer Shaimiev: “The past and present of Sviyazhsk reflect the most important stages of the formation of the Russian statehood”

On November 14, the international research-to-practice conference “Historical, Cultural and Spiritual Heritage of Sviyazhsk” opened in Kazan within the framework of the Year of Culture. Tatarstan State Counsellor and Chairman of the Trustee Council of the Revival Regional Foundation Mintimer Shaimiev, Minister of Culture of the republic Airat Sibagatullin, Rector of Kazan Federal University Ilshat Gafurov and other officials attended the conference.

Airat Sibgatullin opened the meeting with announcing Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov's greeting.

Mintimer Shaimiev welcomed participants of the conference. “The republic is permeated with creativity, cooperation and comprehensive dialogue between cultures and civilizations, aspiration to achieve interethnic and inter-confessional understanding,” he said.

The Counsellor outlined that the Kazan Kremlin and the ancient town of Bolgar - both included in UNESCO World Heritage List - are the most significant historical and cultural sites in the country. “Kazan and Yelabuga with their millennium traditions as well as sites of the island town of Sviyazhsk are outstanding heritage value of our state,” Shaimiev noted.

According to him, Tatarstan and Russian leadership understand the significance and value of cultural heritage sites. He reminded that the work to include Sviyazhsk in the UNESCO list is now underway.

Mintimer Shaimiev emphasized that tourist flow to Bolgar and Sviyazhsk is increasing. Thus, it has increased by three times since 2010. Last year; 193,000 tourists visited Bolgar and 110,000 people visited the island town of Sviyazhsk. He said that he is sure that these numbers will grow.

Summing up, he expressed his hope that the conference and discussions would be fruitful.