TRADITIONS AND CULTURAL LIFE IN TATARSTAN

Sabantuy

Different cultures and traditions of the peoples living in Tatarstan give an opportunity for our guests to participate in national holidays and ceremonies. The most interesting of such tours can be made during the Tatar holiday Sabantuy, that is, Festival of the Plough, and the Russian folk festival Karavon.

Sabantuy is a truly folk festival, very popular not only in Tatarstan, but in many regions of Russia inhabited by the Tatars. It is celebrated in June and marks the end of sowing. Sabantuy takes place in a circular area called “maidan”, and includes folk games and sports, such as sack races, tug-of-war, weight lifting, water-carrying races, and grain-sack fighting. As with any folk festival, the competition is to some extent comical, drawing constant laughter from the numerous spectators.

The main event of the festival is a from of national wrestling called “kuresh”, or belt wrestling, in which the two wrestlers grapple each other’s belts, each trying to bring the other to the ground. The matches are conducted under the strict observation of judges and spectators. The victor, batyr Sabantuy, is awarded a live sheep. Traditionally, the batyr receives an embroidered towel as a sign of particular distinction and respect.

Among the festival’s events, visitors show particular interest in the horse races and the equestrian games “yaulyk alu”, in which a rider, without slowing down, must grab a handkerchief, sewn by Tatar girls for Sabantuy, from where it hangs on a tree. However, Sabantuy is not solely a sporting event. Sabantuy, most of all, is a holiday marking the end of spring field work. Everywhere there is music, songs and children’s laughter.

Traditionally, Sabantuty is celebrated in three stages. On the first Saturday after spring sowing is over, the holiday is celebrated in villages of the Republic, a week later in the major cities of Tatarstan, and another week later in Kazan.

Sabantuy is a great reason to travel to Kazan; it’s an ancient and vibrant folk holiday, and the atmosphere of Sabantuy touches everyone!

Festivals in Kazan

The Opera and Ballet Tatar Academic Theatre named after Musa Jalil originates from December, 1938. The troupe of the theatre is one of the best operatic and choreographic collectives in Russia. Each year two international festivals are held at the theatre: Fyodor Shalyapin International Festival of Opera Art and Rudolf Nuriyev International Festival of Classical Ballet. As the native city of the greatest Russian singer, Kazan has for years welcomed visitors and performers to one of the most well-presented opera festivals in Russia. Traditionally, the festival program includes performances in which Fyodor Shalyapin himself once performed. The festival lasts about ten days and closes with a gala concert featuring the Russian and foreign opera stars.

The Nuriev BalletFestival takes place in April-May annually. Rudolf Nuriev himself, while performing in Kazan, gave permission for this festival to carry his name. If you want to enjoy the classical Russian ballet, try to plan your visit to Kazan to catch this event!

A Muslim Film Festival takes place in August or September. This annual festival is intended to establish the intercultural dialogue between East and West. Every year the festival program becomes richer and attracts cinema stars and fans from many countries.

Galiasgar Kamal Tatar State Academic Theatre

The 22nd December of 1906, when the first public performance in Tatar was acted in Kazan, is considered as the birthday of this Theatre. Kamal Tatar State Academic Theatre is the national pride of Tatar people.

Its title as "the Academic" was conferred on the Theatre in 1926, the name of Galiasgar Kamal - in 1939. The new building of the Theatre was built in 1986.

Kazan State Puppet Show

Kazan Puppet Show was created in 1934. Two troupes of actors - the Tatar and the Russian - work now.

This theatre collective is a participant in many international festivals and a member of UNIMA - International Union of Puppet-Show workers.

There are about 30 performances in the repertoire of the Kazan Puppet Show. Every year the New-Year's performances are conducted here from December 25 to January 11.

Kazan circus

A flying-saucer-shaped construction not far from the Kremlin is the Kazan circus. This unique building was erected in 1960-s. By the way, many University students worked at its construction.

Almost every month, a new program opens at the Kazan Circus itself, or of a touring troupe, including acts in the best traditions of the Russian circus school: acrobats and animal trainers, clowns and gymnasts create a bright holiday spectacle for children and adults.

In 2010 Kazaners had a chance to see performances of a famous Canadian circus Du Soleil, which set up under the Kremlin walls.

The Shurale amusement park is a contemporary, interesting, and picturesque recreation center for city residents and guests. The park offers children’s rides and family recreation, and extreme rides for fans of extreme sensations. It has the sole “Flying Saucer” ride in Russia, a Ferris wheel 55 meters high, a Free-fall tower, and many other rides.

Art

Jewelry is a source of national pride for Tatars. This ancient kind of a folk art was tied, mainly, with a traditional dress, especially women’s. Millennia after, the technology of jewelry production became more complex, and their design more skilled, but the basic methods of hand processing jewelry have remained the same.

Today the young jewelers who work in Tatarstan try to join the richest art traditions (open-work and grain filigree, granular work, engraving, etc.) with the modern jewelers' technologies to create new, unique art forms.