Rustam Minnikhanov and Mintimer Shaimiev lay flowers to the monument of Gabdulla Tukay in Kazan

On 26 April in the morning the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the State Counselor of the republic Mintimer Shaimiev laid flowers to the monument of the great Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukay in Kazan.

The event is dedicated to the 138th birthday of the poet who stood at the origins of establishment of Tatar public newspapers and journals and became one of the first Muslim poets who included illustrations into his works. He also wrote textbooks, which are still used by teachers and researchers. Tukay also translated a number of works by Russian and foreign writers into Tatar language.

Representatives of literature community, Tukay state award winners and representatives of theatre communities, schools and universities also came to the ceremony to pay respect to the poet.

In the morning the Rais of Tatarstan on his site also published an address dedicated to the Tulay birthday which said: “… It is in works of Gabdulla Tukay that the role of mother tongue is shown as a treasury of spiritual beauty and cultural richness binding many generations.”

Other events planned to be held in Kazan today are the traditional poetry fest by the Tukay monument, a gala-concert and the first night of a national theatre and circus performance “On the Hay Market” dedicated to Tukay and his works.