Monument to classic of national poetry Gabdulla Tukai solemnly opened in Astrakhan

On May 27, a long expected event for local Tatar community took place. In a historic place, in former Tatar suburb, a monument was opened solemnly  to a classic of national poetry Gabdulla Tukai. Governor of Astrakhan oblast Alexandr Zhilkin and Chairman of RT State Council Farid Mukhamtsin took part in a ceremony.

It is worth noting that flatly  102  years back  on May 27, Gabdulla Tukai came to Astrakhan to get acquainted with a boiling life of one of the largest centers of Tatar culture of that time. Still today, the name of classic is not forgotten on Astrakhan land. Thanks to support from President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov,  at the request of local public organization «Duslyk», a monument was erected to Tatar poet and  new beautiful square-garden named after his honor  was laid out in a capital of Nizhnevolga land The monument has been installed in living micro-district on crossing the streets of Admiral Nakhimov and Alexandrov, in a historic place of compact habitation of Tatars.

The idea of sculpture composition belongs to   an outstanding  artist Baki Urmanche which was finished  and implemented in life by his disciple Vladislav Avdeev. The sculpture was cast in bronze at the Kazan enterprise.

Congratulating astrakhaners, guests and participants of the ceremony, Farid Mukhametshin  emphasized  that he came with  «a great mission»: to thank astrakhan Tatars for active work in preserving national culture. «Today we eternalize memory of the great Tatar poet, publicist, enlightener, philosopher, having lived only  27 years, but having left to us, his offspring,   the richest  heritage, – stressed head of Tatarstan parliament. – And today, in    XXI century, we study and are proud of him, put him in one row with outstanding Russian classic such as Pushkin and Lermontov     Thanks to leadership of oblast  and city for a place, which was chosen for monument.  Here, I think the youth will gather , and veterans,  with the aim once more to have a look at the history, return to the sources, to read verses of the great Tukai».

Before the  Tukai monument , his verses were read out by people’s poets  of Tatarstan   Renat Kharis, and Ravil Faizullin. The ceremony continued   by a festive concert –, informs  RT State council  department on interaction with public and mass media.

Press-service, RT Ministry of culture