Rustam Minnikhanov: Karavon festival is one of the main holidays of multinational Tatarstan

On May 21, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov accompanied by Minister of Culture of the republic Airat Sibagatullin and Head of Laishevo municipal region Mikhail Afanasyev took part in the 25th Russian folk art festival "Karavon" in the village of Nikolskoye (Laishevo municipal region of Tatarstan).

Upon his arrival at the festive site, Minnikhanov looked around the fair of folk arts and crafts and talked to guests of the event.

Addressing participants of the festival, Minnikhanov noted that this year the Karavon fest has been held for the 25th time in the republic and is one of the main holidays of multinational Tatarstan.

"We deeply respect our history, the Muslim and Orthodox traditions. Yesterday a big holiday on the occasion of the Day of official adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria was held in Bolgar. And today we all are celebrating the Karavon holiday. This folk art festival has become one of the most important heritage of our republic," he stressed.

"Traditionally, at the end of May, on the day of Saint Nicholas  the Wonderworker, we gather here in the village of Nikolskoye. We are very proud that Karavon festival has become one of the cultural brands of the republic and recognizable far beyond the region. The Karavon today is a unique venue for those, who are keen on Russian folk art, dances, songs, history and rites,” Afanasyev said in his turn.

This year about 20,000 people came to Laishevo region to take part in the Karavon festival.