Kamil ISKHAKOV
Milestones
in the history of Kazan
Kazan, with its
population of 1,200,000, is the home of over a hundred nationalities professing
the world's most important religions which peacefully coexit here. The
historic role of Kazan as a gateway to Asia is now being revived.
We are doing
a great deal to give a new lease of life to Tatar culture, to make a thorough
systematic study and reappraisal of the history of the Tatar people and
Kazan in particular. In doing so, we are making every effort to preserve
and utilize the rich cultural heritage and, particularly, to preserve to
the greatest possible extent the unique architectural prospect of Kazan
while modernizing the city and equipping it with adequate amerities.
Kazan, according
to the largest archeological finds, came into existence between the end
of the 10th and the beginning of the 11th century. It owes its rise to
the world's oldest trade route known as the Great Silk Way, which crossed
the Northern Furs Way at a point where Kazan originated.
The City Soviet
of people's deputies has launched a programme to study the cultural heritage
of the city. To implement this programme we have been working closely whith
scholars from many countries: Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, Norway, Finland,
the Chech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Egypt, Turcey, Iran, Azerbaijan,
Uzbekistan, Ukraine and, naturally, Russia. It is thanks to their help
that we have been able to hold a number of international forums here.
We are confident
that a thorough study of history will restore Kazan to a fitting place
among the world's leading cultural centres.
Large-scale
reconstruction work is under way in the city's historical centre in order
to give a new face to Bauman Street, formerly Bolshaya Prolomnaya, as it
was known since the times of Ivan the Terrible. At the same time we adhere
strictly to the policy of recovering what has been lost in an attempt to
help the city retain its characteristic features that give it a unique
appearance. Today Kazan has
over 750 architectural, historical and cultural monuments; all of them
are under state protection. To safeguard them we have developed an original
economic model for the revival of the historical centre: the prefectures
of Kazansky Posad and Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda allocate part of the
taxes collected within their territory for the development of the city's
historical centre. The republician slum clearance scheme has the same purpose
in view, for most of the substandard housing is situated in the historical
centre. According to the President's Decree, l percent of the revenue provided
by the Republic's oil industry is allocated for this scheme. This has made
it possible for over 4,000 families to move from the slums to modern comfortable
flats.
Some of the
unique natural features of Kazan are still well-preserved and taken care
of. These include the system of Kaban lakes, the Swan Lake, and the sacred
spring which has been a source of pure water for a thousand years.
The history
of Kazan is dramatic, it has passed several different stages in its development.
Until recently the Tatar language and culture have been in a state of neglect.
But today, from our perspective, we have entered a period of the revival
of Tatar culture, with the Russian culture, as well as those of other nationalities
represented in Kazan, developing under equally favourable conditions. This
is the result of the well-considered policy of the government of the Republic
of Tatarstan and the implementation of the law Concerning the languages
of the Republic of Tatarstan which has consolidated the equality of the
two state languages (Tatar and Russian), social, economic and legal protection
being afforded to all the languages regardless of their status. In 1992
The Association of ethno-cultural societies was founded. It represents
fifteen of the largest ethnic communities, including the Chuvash, Mari,
Azerbaijani, Ukrainian, Armenian, German, Jewish and others; seven of them
have either
been granted the status of ethno-cultural autonomy or a well on the way
to receiving it.
The president
and the government of the Republic of Tatarstan are consistently pursuing
a policy of religious tolerance and mutual respect between the representatives
of different denominations. There have been no religious conflicts either
in Kazan or elsewhere in the Republic of Tatarstan. Representatives of
all of the most important religious denominations, i.e. Islam, Cristianity
(including the Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches) and Judaism
peacefully coexist here. All the denominations have their own places of
worship, schools and colleges. Many temples confiscated in communist times
have been restored to believers.
Given that there
are acute ethnic and religious conflicts taking place both on the territory
of the former Soviet Union and abroad, we have a fire chance to show the
entire world that different peoples can live in peace and harmony which
promotes fruitful cultural exchange. Kazan is an observer member of the
World Association of historic cities; it has partnership treaties with
Braunschweig (Germany), Bryan and College-Station (USA), Eskishehir (Turcey),
the province of Manufia (Egypt), Tashkent, Bishkek, Nazran and Astrakhan.
As a mayor of Kazan I am a member of the international council of the world
association of interrelated cities (or twin-cities). I have also been elected
Chairman of the Chamber of Russia's historic cities.
The administration
of Kazan and the Republic of Tatarstan make every effort to enhance the
role of our city as a center of culture, science and learning. We hope
that Kazan will become an important city of Russia and Europe, a hospitable
city open to all the best things the modem world has to offer.
Kamil
S. Iskhakov
the
Chairman of the City's Soviet of People's Deputies, Meyer of Kazan, People's
Deputy of Tatarstan Republic.
