Rustam Minnikhanov and Mintimer Shaimiev lay flowers to the monument of the Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukay

On 26 May during celebrations of the Day of the Mother Tongue and the 137th birthday of the great Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukay, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the State Counselor of the republic Mintimer Shaimiev laid flowers to the monument of the poet in the center of Kazan.

The head of the Office of the Rais of the republic Asgat Safarov,  the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin , the Deputy Chairman of the regional State Council Marat Akhmetov, the Member of the Russian State Duma Tatyana Larionova and other officials and representatives of creative community also took part in the event.

Celebrations of Tukay’s birthday has a special meaning for the republic as he is the author of numerous translations into Tatar language of works of Russian and foreign writers, was one of the originators of Tatar periodicals and wrote textbooks which are still used by teachers and researchers.