Eurasia Regional Section of the World organization "United Cities and Local Governments"
Eurasia Regional Section of the World organization "United Cities and Local Governments"
On May 25 Paris became a location of the national Tatar holiday Sabantuy organized by Kazan for citizens and guests of the capital of France within a framework of cooperation of two cities. Agreement on holding of the event was reached during the visit of Mayor of Paris Ann Hidalgo to Kazan this February.
Tatar national holiday took place on the Field of Mars with participation of the President of UCLG-Eurasia, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, Co-President of UCLG, Mayor of Paris Ann Hidalgo and Ambassador of Russia to France Aleksandr Orlov.
Mayor of Kazan congratulated citizens and guests of the capital of France in the Russian, Tatar, French and English languages. “For us it is a historical event when our national holiday Sabantuy, which reflects the beauty of our nation, is held in Paris at the heart of Europe. I am very proud that Kazan has a privilege to represent Russia and Tatarstan in the capital of France. Let this be a good tradition” - said Mr.Metshin.
Famous artists from Tatarstan played on the stage before the Eiffel Tower. Pavilions with the products of national craft, souvenirs, dishes of Tatar cuisine and other products of the Republic of Tatarstan were installed on the Field of Mars.
“Today we are celebrating the friendship between two cities which share aspirations and ambitions” - said the head of the capital of France. “In the 21st century people choose friendship through culture, sports. We believe in friendship of different cities as culture is a universal value. Sabantuy in Paris provides the French people with the opportunity to know Russia, Tatarstan and Kazan better, to understand culture and traditions of multi-ethnic people”.
Local citizens and tourists actively participated in the traditional Tatar competitions and games at the playgrounds, tasted with pleasure Tatar cuisine. All day Parisians bought production of the Tatarstan manufacturers at the shopping stalls. The dishes of Tatar national cuisine – chak-chak (unleavened dough cut and rolled into hazelnut-sized balls), talkysh kaleve (Light fibrous halva made in the form of small dense pyramids creamy honey flavor), ochpochmak (triangular pastry, filled with minced beef, onion and potatoes) and many others were displayed here.
During the day Parisians and guests of the capital of France were entertained by the rich concert program in which about 200 artists from Tatarstan were involved.
According to the organizers the holiday gathered about 20 000 guests during the day. Over 15 000 folding paper tubeteikas (caps) small flags were distributed among spectators at the entrance to the location.
Besides, several hundred of Tatars from all over the world who live in European countries took part in Sabantuy. Guests were treated with Tatar national dishes and got acquainted with different kinds of national craft.
Sabantuy is celebrated on the occasion of the finishing of spring field works. The holiday claims to be included to the list of masterpieces of oral and intangible heritage of UNESCO.
29.05.2017
