2009 SU Update: Kazan 2013 Opens Russian-Tatar House

A warm welcome at the Russian-Tatar House

Today, June 30th, Marat Bariev, the Minister of Youth and Sport of the Tatarstan Republic and CESU Member, officially opened the Russian-Tatar House which will open its doors during the Belgrade Universiade. He warmly welcomed all the guests to join and taste some Russian and Tatar culture. Kazan, the host city of the 2013 Summer Universiade is the capital of Tatarstan.

With this new initiative, the Russian delegation wants to start a tradition of ‘National Delegation Houses’ during the Universiade. ‘We will be present with a Russian-Tatar House at all next Universiades’, Mr. Barriev said. ‘As well as beyond our Universiade, so in Granada and Gwangju in 2015 also, since this is a great opportunity to meet and make new friends and show our culture to the world.’

Oleg Matytsin, President Russian NUSFFISU Media asked Oleg Matytsin, President of the Russian University Sports Union and FISU EC member the importance of the Russian-Tatar House for his federation. ‘I think it’s of great importance. It is the ideal place to have a cultural exchange and to be a meeting place as well. Delegates from other countries are welcome to visit us during the Belgrade Universiade and learn about our culture, relax, have fun and meet new friends. I hope this is a first step and that along the way more federations will undertake the same initiative.’

Vladimir Leonov, Executive Director of the 2013 Summer Universiade, explained to FISU Media the importance for Kazan as future Universiade host to welcome the delegations in the Russian-Tatar House. ‘We had the idea during the Head of Delegation meeting in Belgrade as well as when we were observers at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where a lot of countries have their ‘House’. We liked the idea of a place where people can meet and greet each other in a great atmosphere. At the same time we wanted to bring our Russian and Tatar culture to the people and show what they can expect in Kazan 2013.’

The Russian-Tatar House is located at Ada Cigalija bb., the well-known leisure site in Belgrade alongside the river.

The program of the Russian-Tatar House is as follows:
July 3rd – Volunteer Day
July 4th – Russian Style
July 5th – Sabantuy
July 6th – 80s Disco
July 7th – Maslenitsa
July 8th – Russian Flag Color Party
July 9th – U are the World
July 10th – Free Microphone
July 11th – We are the Champions
July 12th – Closing

Marat Bariev, Minister of Youth and Sport