Book by Lev Ovrutsky “Conversations with Mintimer Shaimiev” published in Kazan

On October 23 the book by Lev Ovrutsky “Conversations with Mintimer Shaimiev” was presented at the Regional Press and Mass Communication Agency in Kazan. Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev took part in the presentation.

From January to May 2012, a famous Kazan publicist, historian and political commentator Lev Ovrutsky met and talked with Mintimer Shaimiev once a week. As a result of their meetings, the book, which was presented today to the public, appeared. Lev Ovrutsky did not tell anybody about his serious illness till the last moment. Neither the First Tatarstan President Minitmer Shaimiev nor the author's family knew about that. Lev Mirovich died on October 1, 2012. Having understood that he did not have time to finish his book “Conversations with Mintimer Shaimiev”, he asked his daughter Yana Ovrutskaya to do it.

“October was a fateful month for Lev Ovrutsky. He deceased on the 1st of October last year and the 27th of October is his birthday. That is why his family decided to present the book in October,” Mintimer Shaimiev said at the beginning of the meeting.

“This book is not about politics. It’s about the personality and life. In this respect Mintimer Shaimiev is a unique character, who changed during life and changed the life around him,” Yana Ovrutskaya said.

To the point, 3 thousand copies of the book “Conversations with Mintimer Shaimiev” were published. Yana Ovrutskaya and Chief Adviser to Tatarstan President’s Press Service Nursyuya Shaidulina edited the book.

Director of Tatar book publishing house Damir Shakirov said that they worked on the book for 4 months and are ready to publish additional copies. It is planned that 1.5 thousand books will be handed over to the regional libraries.

Lev Ovrutsky’s wife Aleksandra Baltser thanked everyone who took part in publishing the book.