Rustam Minnikhanov and Mintimer Shaimiev attend the opera “Kara Pulat” shown during the festival “Renaissance: epos in modern interpretation”

On 23 July in the evening the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the State Counselor of the republic Mintimer Shaimiev took part in the events of the festival “Renaissance: epos in modern interpretation” held in Bolgar.

Speaking to participants of the events, Rustam Minnikhanov thanked them for their coming to Bolgar and said that the festival is gaining momentum and ethnic culture becomes more and more popular every year. He thanked all organizes of the festival, saying:”It is hard work.”

Welcoming the audience, Mintimer Shaimiev reminded that the idea of holding the festival appeared a year ago when they listened to the opera of a young composer Elmir Nizamov “Kara Pulat’ (The Black Chamber). “We witnessed this. This opera-legend is a perfect reflection of the meaning of our festival as the libretto of this epic opera is based on modern interpretation of legends and sagas related to the Bolgar period of history of our region and the Tatars,” he said.

Mintimer Shaimiev emphasized that the epos containes centuries-long wisdom of people and added: “What it involves is our past and in this case – the past of our ancestors and our land. This is a new approach. After we have restored Bolgar we are moving from material to spiritual revival and we will consistently do this.”

He stressed that “wisdom as a sacred book like gold and diamond – never ages and loses its importance, it is always ready to help a person, people and countries. One should only know how to use this wisdom for the benefit of people and states. And this is the meaning and essence of our festival.”

The State Counselor of the republic stated that eposes, legends and sagas of different ethnicities, such as Kalevala from Karelia, Manas from Kyrgyzstan and Kyys Debiliye from Sakha-Yakutia, met during the festival in the ancient capital of the Volga Bulgars and thanked everyone who came to this sacred land and shared the joy of finding the spirituality and understanding of the value of cultural heritage.

After the regional Minister of Culture Irada Ayupova showed Rustam Minnikhanov the embroidered map of Tatarstan in the Museum of Bolgar Civilization, the Rais of Tatarstan and Mintimer Shaimiev also watched the opera “Kara Pulat”.