Address from the Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov on the occasion of the Day of the Russian Language and 227th birthday of the Great Russian Poet Aleksandr Pushkin

On 6 June is his address on the occasion of the Day of the Russian Language and 227th birthday of the Great Russian Poet Aleksandr Pushkin, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated residents of the republic with the event and wrote: “Today’s holiday is inextricably linked with the birthday of the great genius Alexander Pushkin, whose work became the spiritual heritage of Russia and the whole world, and whose name has forever been inscribed into the history of world culture. His immortal work preserved and enhanced the fullness, versatility, and inexhaustible beauty of the Russian word, becoming the standard of artistic perfection for many centuries.

As the great scholar and thinker D.S. Likhachev, whose 120th anniversary we also celebrate this year, rightly noted: "Pushkin is a genius who managed to create the ideal of the nation. Not just to “display” the national characteristics of the Russian character, but to create an ideal of Russian nationality, an ideal of culture.” But the genius of Pushkin was not only endearing to Russians. The great Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukay wrote of him with sincere admiration.

Our common task is to preserve purity and expressiveness of the Russian language and to instill in the younger generation a love of reading and an interest in Russian literature that conveys the spiritual and moral values ​​of our people.”

In conclusion the Rais of the republic wished everyone good health, inspiration, creative success and new achievements for the benefit of prosperity of Russia.