Tatarstan President has celebrated Sabantuy in the birch grove

June 21 saw the Tatar folk festival of Sabantuy taking place in all districts of Kazan. The biggest festivities were held in the Birch grove in the Privolzhsky district of the Tatarstan capital.

Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev, State Council Chairman Farid Mukhametshin, Prime-minister Rustam Minnikhanov, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, members of the Federation Council, the State Duma of the Russian Federation and other officials took part in the festivities.

The main celebrations unfolded on the Rakhim itegez! (Welcome!) playground where the RT President and other guests of honour were met with the Tatar national dessert chak-chak and Tatar folk dances. Following the tradition, Mintimer Shaimiev tied the last seventh towel to the pole and raised it high.

The people were greeted by Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin: "Thank God, we are observing this holiday in cheerful mood and with good results - sowing has come to the end thanks to our grain growers and farmers." The Mayor congratulated the citizens on having gained the right to host the Universiade 2013.

Shows, contests, kuresh wrestling and horse races were also the part of the festivities. As many as 120 wrestlers took part in kuresh wrestling contest.

Later, the Tatarstan President attended the horse races in the Kazan International Horse-racing Complex.