Creative activity of Atna drama theatre helps to preserve Tatar culture in Tatarstan. This has been stated today by RT President R.N. Minnikhanov during his speech at the festivity dedicated to foundation of Atna state drama theatre held in the House of culture in a Big Atna. Head of the republic watched also the first night of new theatre’s performance.

History of the Atna people’s theatre began in December of year 1918. The actors of the theatre not once became the laureates of different theatrical contests, toured across the USSR.

On the basis of petition of municipal regional heads of Tatarstan, the Ministry of culture of Tatarstan made a motion on attaching state status to Atna theatre. On March 23, 2011, the edict of RT President №УП-149 was issued "On founding Atna state drama theatre".

Today, making a speech at the official ceremony of founding Atna state drama theatre, President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov mentioned that this is a meaningful event for the whole of the republic. "It is very important to preserve Tatar traditions, language, culture in conditions of globalization, - R. Minnikhanov underlined. – Existence of Atna theatre facilitates much for this".

Rustam Minnikhanov said that attaching state status to Atna theatre is only the first step. President of Tatarstan called on present heads of the regions to take active part in developing Atna state drama theatre.

"I hope that your theatre always will be full house and you tour beyond the borders of Tatarstan", - R. Minnikhanov addressed to theatre troupe.

President gave to the head of Atna region Gabdulakhat Khakimov the edict on attaching state status to the theatre and a certificate for improving material-technical base of the theatre in amount of 1million roubles.