Tatarstan President meets representatives of the Tatar community of Buryatia

On March 4, during his working visit to Ulan-Ude, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov met representatives of the Tatar community of Buryatia. Head of the Republic of Buryatia Aleksey Tsydenov took part in the meeting.

According to the 2010 census, there are over 6.8 thousand Tatars in Buryatia, ranking third in number after Russians and Buryats. Tatars live in almost all regions of Buryatia.

In April 2005, the Regional National-Cultural Autonomy of the Tatars of Buryatia headed by Sazhida Batalova was established. The autonomy pays great attention to the study of the native language, culture and traditions. In the villages of Stary Onokhoy, Mukhorshibir, Kharashibir and in the House of Friendship of Peoples in Ulan-Ude, there are Sunday Tatar schools. Those who wish study the Tatar language on the Ana Tele Internet platform. The Tatars of Buryatia organize various events in the republic, including the Baikal Sabantuy, which has been held for 15 years.

Batalova also said that the Almagachlar ata (Blooming Apple Trees) Tatar culture centre was opened in the village of Ust-Kyakhta in 2019. Today, the village offers special ethno tours, in which guests are told about the history of the Tatars in the territory of Eastern Siberia, the Tatar national culture, traditions and cuisine.

Minnikhanov thanked the meeting participants for their reverential attitude to the Tatar language and traditions. “You are carrying out a very important mission. Love for national culture, customs, language is a good example for future generations. Nobody except us will do this work. We, in turn, always try to support the Tatars living outside of Tatarstan. We help with books, a cultural programme, and organize events. But the most important thing is that you are here - active, caring people who are trying to preserve their identity,” Tatarstan President noted.

Minnikhanov expressed his gratitude to the leadership of Buryatia for supporting the activities of Tatar public organizations, creating conditions for the preservation and development of the culture of the Tatar people.

Tatarstan President stressed that Tatarstan also pays great attention to supporting local diasporas. “We host both Udmurt and Chuvash national holiday, celebrate  Maslenitsa (Pancake Week) and Pitrau. Our country is strong in its multinationality. On the one hand, we are all different, but at the same time we are patriots of our great Motherland - Russia,” Tatarstan President added.

Tsydenov noted that representatives of more than 100 ethnicities live in Buryatia and the Tatar Diaspora is one of the most active. “We meet representatives of the Tatar community, we live in piece and friendship. Let us continue to enrich each other with our culture and customs,” Head of Buryatia said.

Then, Minnikhanov handed in award to representatives of the national-cultural autonomy of the Tatars of Buryatia for their great contribution to the preservation and development of Tatar culture.