Tatarstan State Counselor, the First President of the republic Mintimer Shaymiyev has thanked all those who have congratulated him with his jubelee

Expressing his gratitude to all those who have congratulated him with his 85-th birthday, Tatarstan State Counselor, the First President of the republic Mintimer Shaymiyev has said:

”Thank you for long years of cooperation and mutual understanding, for joint big deeds which have been already inscribed into the history of the republic. I would like to start with the most important thing – it is great to be present at my 85-th birthday. It seems to me there can hardly be any better present than this one!!!

I remember saying at my 70-th birthday: «It is my birthday but the age is not mine!” It is really hard to believe that I am 85 already. You do not have time to think about this when every day of your life is filled with different tasks, as I have undertaken public responsibility for concrete deeds. I would like to say that this is typical for our people. I am sure that our strength is in the hard work, respect to the elderly, to the Motherland, in keeping family and national traditions, in respectful attitude to the  native land, succession of spiritual and moral values and the most important – in friendship and concord which we all worship!

I express my gratitude to all those – old and young – who help and support us from the bottom of their heart and for their own pleasure in this noble work”.

Mintimer Shaymiyev reminded bright examples of what was achieved by joint efforts such as celebrations of the 1100-th anniversary of adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria to be held this year and the inscription of the Ancient Town of Bolgar into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Having cited the great Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukay, who said “Love your life, your people and respect national dream”, Shaymiyev concluded that this was the message left to people living now because “We can do it!”