On May 13 and 14, 2025, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), visited several prominent cultural sites in Kazan, capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. The visit was part of the preparations for the Kazan’s designation as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for the year 2026. The sites visited included the Galiaskar Kamal Tatar State Academic Theatre, the National Library of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Grand Concert Hall, and the Fechin Art School.

During his visit to the Galiaskar Kamal Tatar State Academic Theatre, recently relocated to a newly designed architectural building on the shores of Kaban Lake, Dr. AlMalik praised the Theatre’s unique design, which blends architectural innovation with authentic Tatar heritage. He described the Theatre as a distinguished cultural edifice that contributes to preserving heritage and promoting theatrical arts in the region, emphasizing its importance in showcasing the cultural and artistic diversity of Tatarstan.

While visiting the National Library of the Republic of Tatarstan, which houses over 3.2 million books and publications, Dr. AlMalik expressed his appreciation for the Library’s pioneering role in promoting cultural dialogue and disseminating knowledge, as well as in providing modern spaces for creativity and innovation. He commended its efforts in preserving manuscripts and heritage documents that contribute to documenting the cultural memory of the region.

The tour also included a visit to the Grand Concert Hall, where Dr. AlMalik admired the Hall’s artistic and cultural assets. He affirmed ICESCO’s readiness to support collaboration with cultural institutions in Tatarstan to enrich the cultural scene in the Islamic world and promote the exchange of artistic expertise between both sides.

Dr. AlMalik concluded his tour with a visit to the Feshin Art School, where he viewed the works of students and faculty and toured various facilities of the institution. The school is considered one of the oldest and most prestigious art education institutions in Russia and the region, which has brought out many renowned artists, especially in the visual arts, including the world-famous Tatar painter Nikolaï Ivanovitch Fechin, after whom the school is named.