On the evening of Thursday, 14 May 2026, the Kazan Expo Center hosted a major launch ceremony of the celebration of “Kazan as Culture Capital in the Islamic World,” in the presence of Mr. Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation; His Excellency Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan; and Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), along with a large number of ministers, senior officials, and cultural figures from Islamic world countries.

The celebration coincided with the convening of the 15th session of the ICESCO General Conference and the Conference of Ministers of Culture, convened by the Russian Ministry of Culture, in addition to meetings of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia-Islamic World.” The occasion represented a cultural and civilizational milestone reflecting the depth of relations between Russia and Islamic world countries.

The ceremony opened with a speech by Mr. Marat Khusnullin, in which he affirmed Russia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Islamic world countries, particularly in cultural and humanitarian fields. He commended the proclamation of Kazan as Culture Capital in the Islamic World, noting that the city stands as a model of diversity, coexistence, and civilizational openness.

Dr. AlMalik then delivered an address emphasizing that the celebration of Kazan carries profound cultural and historical significance and reflects a core criterion of ICESCO’s program, which focuses on the contributions cities make to humanity and the repositories of hope, knowledge, and creativity they preserve. He noted that throughout the centuries, Kazan has remained a civilizational and cultural bridge linking Russia and the Islamic world, as well as a hub for diversity, creativity, and human interaction.

The Director-General further stressed that Kazan’s collective memory bears deep testimony to the presence of Islam in this geographic area for centuries. He highlighted that the city is regarded as a beacon of knowledge in Russia, pointing out that among the symbols of this legacy are the earliest printed editions of the Holy Qur’an in Russia, which originated in Kazan, in addition to the distinguished intellectual and cultural figures the city has produced, such as the poet Abdullah Tukay and the scholar Abdulkayyum Nasiri, among other icons of human creativity.

His Excellency Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, also delivered an address expressing his pride in the proclamation of Kazan as Culture Capital in the Islamic World. He extended his thanks to ICESCO and its Director-General for the Organization’s efforts in promoting civilizational dialogue and cultural rapprochement among peoples.

Following the official speeches, the speakers used the traditional ceremonial hammer to signal the official launch of “Kazan, Culture Capital in the Islamic World,” amid a distinctive celebratory atmosphere and strong engagement from the audience.

The ceremony featured folkloric, artistic, and performance shows that reflected the cultural and artistic excellence of Kazan and the Republic of Tatarstan. It also brought to life a chapter of Kazan’s rich history by evoking a number of historical, literary, and artistic figures who have shaped the city’s identity and contributed to its cultural legacy. Their works and creative achievements were transformed into breathtaking tableaux vivants, which added remarkable cultural and aesthetic depth to the celebration. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the show, which dazzled everyone and highlighted the richness, diversity, and humanistic values of both Russian and Tatar heritage.