Mintimer Shaimiev: ''Revenue from tourism in Tatarstan amounted to more than 9bn rubles''
The Revival fund opens a new volume of the Book of Benefactors
The presentation of the 7th volume of the Book of Benefactors and the letters of gratitude of the Revival Republican Fund took place in the Kazan Kremlin on 26 January. The correspondent of Realnoe Vremya attended the festive event and find out whose names were on the ''golden'' pages of the book, in what way the new volume of the book is different from the previous six volumes, and about the fund's plans for the future.
''The case when one should make haste slowly"
''We do a good thing, and the life confirms it,'' state advisor of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev greeted the participants of the meeting, noting that the charity unites.
The state advisor stressed that in seven years they have managed not only to revive two historic cities but also to start new projects. For example, the construction of the first in the history of the Russian Federation Bolgarian Islamic Academy, as well as the reconstruction of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan. ''It is a signal of the revival of the spirituality throughout the Russian Federation because a normal development of the society is impossible without spirituality,'' said Mintimer Shaimiev. According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a high appraisal of the activities of the fund. ''At a meeting in the Kremlin, Mr Putin told me that this is the most important work that we should do. We should not postpone such deals. Nothing can be more important than gaining spirituality,'' said the first president of Tatarstan. But we shouldn't make haste in such complex matter, said Shaimiev. ''The work should be done thoroughly. This is the case when we should make haste slowly,'' expressed his point of view Mintimer Shaimiev.
''We are not only in thoughts but in deeds will get back to the Kazan Kremlin''
A lot of work is awaiting us, said Mintimer Shaimiev. For example, restoration works in the Kazan Kremlin will begin soon. ''We are not only in thoughts but in deeds will get back to the Kazan Kremlin,'' said the first president of Tatarstan. ''The requirements of UNESCO are so that we can't degrade, we should only improve and strengthen.''
The work on Bolgar and Sviyazhsk also continues. ''Bolgar is already a world heritage site. But we continue to work on the attraction of tourists, improvement works, the creation of appropriate conditions,'' said Mintimer Shaimiev. The construction of a hotel complex, investors of which are TAIF and Tatneft, is in full swing now in Bolgar. The object is to be commissioned in 2018. ''It will be a complex of the high standard,'' said Shaimiev. The state advisor places great hopes on the Bolgarian Islamic Academy, which aims to become a single complex together with the White Mosque. By the way, the latter, according to Shaimiev, is so popular among tourists that it itself has become a monument of art.
Museumification continues in Sviyazhsk. They are planning to include the Assumption Cathedral in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. ''The first steps give us hope,'' said Mintimer Shaimiev.
Besides, the conditions for water transport are being improved to increase the tourist attractiveness. Since last year, the ships of any class can sail to Bolgar and Sviyazhsk.
''The legacy is huge, but now it is difficult to impress people''
As for finances, the volume of fee-paid tourist services in the Republic amounted to more than 9bn rubles last year. ''The results are still being reviewed, but we know that the revenue due to the growth of tourism in Tatarstan Republic last year amounted to more than 9bn rubles. The growth is very significant each year,'' said Shaimiev. According to him, this amount consists of charges for transport, catering and other tourist services.
However, according to the state adviser of Tatarstan, summer in Tatarstan is weak. ''The legacy is huge,'' said Shaimiev. ''But now it is difficult to impress people.''
From industry to benefactors from neighbouring regions
The subsequent award was divided into blocks on the basis of the benefactors: deputies of the State Duma and State Council, representatives of ministries and departments, representatives of municipal authorities, benefactors whose names appear in all volumes of the Book of Benefactors, heads of Tatarstan enterprises, those who contributed to the project implementation, families, veterans' organizations, museums.
Overall, all seven volumes of the book include 68.000 benefactors. The seventh volume alone includes the names of 20,000 people. Over a hundred participants received the award from the hands of Mintimer Shaimiev personally.
Among the representatives of ministries and departments of RT, the state advisor presented the award to the head of Presidential Administration Asgat Safarov.
Prosecutor of Tatarstan Ildus Nafikov was awarded for the personal contribution to the establishment of the Bolgarian Academy and the restoration of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan.
The heads of Kazanorgsintez Farid Minigulov and of Nizhnekamskneftehim Azat Bikmurzin are also on the ''golden'' pages of the book. Executive Director of the Revival fund Tatyana Larionova noted that these two enterprises support the fund every month.
Also, the heads of Tatinvestgrazhdanproekt, Kazankompressormash, KMPO, Network Company and FBK Povolzhye were distinguished with the award.
The list of benefactors also includes the director of the Laishevsky orphanage Ruzaliya Valiullina. All staff and children of the Laishevsky children's home allocate money to the Revival fund.
Traditionally, the special section of the book of philanthropists is dedicated to families supporting the fund. So, the head of the Takhautdinovs Shafagat Takhautdinov, a member of the Board of Directors of Tatneft PJSC, according to Mintimer Shaimiev, made a significant contribution to the activities of the fund, setting the pace of the work. The Kosushkins family also received the book and letters of appreciation. They gave a hoard of silver coins discovered in the Vedenskiy district to the Sviazhsky reserve. The Khrustalevs from Spassky district were also distinguished.
The guide of the museum-reserve Island-town of Sviyazhsk Lyudmila Eliseyeva received a gratitude for that she gave the museum valuable documents on the history of Sviyazhsk.
The developers of the logo of the Bolgarian Islamic Academy, Associate Professor of design and national arts of the Institute of Philology and International Communication of the KFU Farit Valiullin, and two his students, Anna Kotelnikova and Olga Terentyeva were also distinguished.
There are benefactors from the neighbouring region. For example, Marat Nagumanov, Director General of the Paker company in Bashkiria.
The Revival Republican Fund started its activity in 2010. It promotes the preservation, restoration and revival of the Bolgar historical and architectural museum and reserve, as well as the museum Island-town of Sviyazhsk.