Mintimer Shaimiev proposes founding Bolgar and Sviyazhsk Rebirth Fund

Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev informed about a possibility of creating the Bolgar and Sviyazhsk Rebirth Fund at the session of the non-commercial organization “The Government Housing Fund under the Republic of Tatarstan President” Board of Trustees on February 4.

Head of the republic said he had a great desire to revive the Bolgar Museum-Reserve (the place where Islam was adopted in 922) and Sviyazhsk Monastery of the 16th century. The money allocated for these two architectural monuments is not enough even for measures aimed at preventing their destruction.

Tatarstan President informed Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin about his plans to restore Bolgar and Sviyazhsk. According to his words, the authorities show understanding of the problem. The republic is ready to finance the museum-reserves’ renaissance projects on equal footing with the federal centre. Mintimer Shaimiev said anyone would have an opportunity to donate money to the Bolgar and Sviyazhsk Rebirth Fund.