Mintimer Shaimiev took part in the ceremony of laying the first stone of the new building for the puppet theatre

Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev took part in the ceremony of laying the first stone of the new building for the Tatar State Puppet Theatre 'Ekiyat" (meaning 'fairytale' in the Tatar language) on October 3.

RT Deputy Prime-minister - Culture Minister Zilya Valeyeva, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, RT Construction, Architecture and Housing Minister Marat Khusnullin, RT Education and Science Minister Nail Valeyev, Director of the Puppet Theatre "Ekiyat" Rosa Yapparova and Stage director of the theatre Ildus Zinnurov took part in the ceremony.

The foundation pit of the new building of the theatre that looks more like a fairytale palace with high towers is ready. The President and honorary guests approached the impromptu stage along the living corridor of fairytale creatures, schoolchildren with balloons, students of Kazan universities carrying flags of organizations "Molodaya gvardiya" (Young guard) and "My" (We). The head of the republic warmly spoke to children and performers of the theatre.

Rosa Yapparova, the director of the theatre "Ekiyat", who will also head the new theatre, said that the puppet theater is a place where young spectators meet real art for the first time. Next year, the theater will mark its 75th anniversary. The theater staff dreamt of a new building for a long time. And today this dream began to come true. "Thanks to the management of Tatarstan and the city of Kazan for the new building that will meet all requirements of the puppet theatre," Rosa Yapparova said.

Mintimer Shaimiev thanked Rosa Yapparova, who had been in charge of the theatre for 15 years, stage director Ildus Zinnurov and the theatre staff for great pleasure they give children.

The President went on to say that a lot is being done in the social and cultural sphere in Tatarstan. "Bez buldyrabyz! (We can!) We should make it so well that we could admire it and so that children could admire it in all times. It will be a real palace for children!" Mintimer Shaimiev said.