Rustam Minnikhanov: “Interethnic peace and concord are ultimate values and one of our achievements”

On November 4, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov attended a gala concert of a regional ethnic culture festival “Our Home - Tatarstan 2015” at the Kazan Opera and Ballet Theatre.

The event began with a minute’s silence commemorating the victims of 31 October air crash over the Sinai Peninsula.

The festival has been held annually since 2012. Since 2013, at the instruction of Tatarstan President, its gala concert has been held within the Day of National Unity on 4 November at Musa Jalil Opera and Ballet Theatre.

“Holding  today’s event in this hall is symbolic. It is here that we marked the Tatar Language Day and held festivities on the Russian Language Day. This hall is a place where we show our unity and friendship, respect between the ethnic groups,” Minnikhanov said.

“Interethnic and interfaith peace and concord are ultimate values and one of our achievements. Tatarstan top priorities are supporting and promoting the languages, cultures and traditions of all the ethnicities living in this republic. The Tatarstan Peoples Assembly that has become a centre of productive cooperation between multiethnic cultural associations plays a significant role in it. It is a joy that a network of people’s friendship and ethic culture centres increase at a municipal level,” he added.

Minnikhanov stressed that the republic pay great attention to reviving spirituality and supporting religious associations. “The leading traditional religions are our partners in implementing a lot of socio-cultural projects. We attach special importance to strengthening positive relations between the faiths and ethnic groups,” he said.