Gabdulla Tukay monument opened in Astrakhan

27.05.2013

Today a monument to classic of the Tatar national poetry Gabdulla Tukay was opened in Astrakhan, in the historical place – former Tatar quarter. Governor of the Astrakhan oblast Alexandr Zhilkin and Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan Farid Mukhametshin took part in the opening.

102 years ago Gabdulla Tukay came to Astrakhan in order to get to know the life of one of the biggest Tatar cultural oasis of that time. Today Astrakhan remembers his name. Owing to the support of Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov and on request of local public organization “Duslyk” Tukay monument and new beautiful public garden were constructed here. The idea of the sculpture group belongs to outstanding artist Baki Urmanche, modeled by his follower Vladislav Avdeed and cast into bronze in Kazan.

The holiday brought together many people – core group of the Tatar community as well as Russians, Kazakhs and others. Greeting them Governor of the Astrakhan oblast Alexandr Zhilkin thanked the Tatarstan leadership for participation in this noble deed. Farid Mukhametshin pointed out his “great missison”: to thank the Astrakhan Tatars for their active attitude to preservation of national culture. “Today we have set in bronze our memory about the great Tatar poet, publicist, educator and philosopher who lived only 27 years but leaved us the wealth of his heritage. We are grateful to the leaders of the Astrakhan oblast and city for the place that was chosen for the monument. I think, both young and elderly people will come here to get back to our history, to our roots, to recite Tukay’s great verses.”

Administration of the State Council