Dialogue between two cultures

Close cultural contacts between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Tatarstan dated back to antiquity are especially important in the beginning of a new era - when dialogue between world cultures and civilizations becomes more active. Issues of further cooperation were discussed January 17 in the Kazan Kremlin, where Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev received the delegation of Iran.

Stable political situation in the republic, good relations between people largely contribute to the revival of the Tatar language and culture, said Tatarstan President. This process is impossible without reference to such ancient cultures as Iranian culture.

Iranian Minister of housing and urban construction A.Abdolalizadeh shared his impressions of Kazan. Getting acquainted with the city was like turning over the pages of its thousand-year history, he said, and we would like to leave a good keepsake of ourselves in Kazan in the form of a cultural centre, symbolizing cultural contacts between Iran and Tatarstan. M.Shaimiev approved of the idea.