Republican prize named after Marsel Salimzhanov to be established in Tatarstan

On November 11, at a commemoration event dedicated to the 80th anniversary of a famous Tatar stage director Marsel Salimzhanov, Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev read out Tatarstan President’s Edict on establishing the Republican theatrical prize named after Marsel Salimzhanov:

“For the purpose of further development of Tatarstan theatre art and to commemorate the name of Marsel Salimzhanov I hereby order to establish the Republican prize in the sphere of theatre art named after Marsel Salimzhanov. Three prizes in the sphere of theatre art named after Marsel Salimzhanov in the amount of 200, 000 roubles are awarded once in two years.”

The event was held at the Kamal Tatar State Academic Theatre (Kazan).

The Cabinet of Ministers was entrusted with developing and approving the regulations on this award, and taking measures on realization of the present edict.

Mintimer Shaimiev congratulated everyone on the event and said that establishment of the award was initiated by management of the Kamal theatre.

The 80th anniversary of People's Artist of the USSR, laureate of State Prize of TASSR named after G.Tukai, laureate of State Prize of Russian Federation named after K.Stanislavsky, laureate of National theatre award “Golden mask”, academician Marsel Salimzhanov was held on November 7.

The commemorative event was held in format of an interview, where friends and colleagues of Marsel Salimzhanov shared their memories and watched videos of his interviews and rehearsals.

Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev and Chairman of State Council Farid Mukhametshin took part in the event.

Speaking at the event, Mintimer Shaimiev said that Marsel Salimzhanov passed away too early, and if he was alive today he would be proud of achievements of the republic. He stressed that Marsel Salimzhanov always said that theatre belongs to people and it cannot exist without people. Also, he left a worthy successor, the present stage director of Kamal theatre Farid Bikchentaev.

The event was held in a very warm, homey atmosphere, with participation of people, who admire Marsel Salimzhanov. Young actors of the Kamal theatre performed pieces of old and new plays. It seemed as if Marsel Salimzhanov was there.

At the end of the event the audience rose in applause for the stage director of all generations Marsel Salimzhanov.