Solemn ceremony of presentation of the certificate about the inclusion of the Dormition Cathedral and the Monastery of the island town of Sviyazhsk in UNESCO World Heritage List held in Kazan

On August 21, at the Piramida complex in Kazan, a solemn ceremony of presentation of the certificate about the inclusion of the Dormition Cathedral and Monastery of the island town of Sviyazhsk in UNESCO World Heritage List was held.

UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, State Counsellor of the republic Mintimer Shaimiev, Chairman of the regional State Council Farid Mukhametshin, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, heads of regional ministries and agencies, and other officials attended the ceremony.

"On the 9th of July, 2017, a true milestone in the history of Tatarstan and Russia was held in the Polish city of Krakow, when the decision about the inclusion of the Dormition Cathedral and the Monastery of the island-town of Sviyazhsk in UNESCO World Heritage List was made at the 41st session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee," Minnikhanov said in his welcoming address. "This confirms the exceptional world value of the Cathedral and the Monastery, which have to be preserved. We have come a long way on the road to worldwide recognition of Bolgar and Sviyazhsk. We are proud of the fact that there are three World Heritage sites in Tatarstan, including the Kazan Kremlin, the Bolgar Historical and Architectural Complex, the Dormition Cathedral and the Monastery of the island-town of Sviyazhsk."

Tatarstan President stressed that such a result was achieved due to the unprecedented support of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the Government of the Russian Federation. Rustam Minnikhanov expressed his special thanks to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Culture of Russia Vladimir Medinsky, Ambassador-at-large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Eleonora Mitrofanova and executive secretary of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO Grigory Ordzhonikidze for their support in the implementation of a comprehensive project for the preservation of historical and cultural heritage.

"Of course, first of all, we see in these victories personal contribution of the first President of Tatarstan, Chairman of the Revival Regional Foundation Mintimer Shaimiev. Under his leadership, a systematic and targeted work to revive the ancient Bolgar and the island-town of Sviyazhsk and promote them to the UNESCO list was carried out," Minnikhanov noted.

According to him, the Ancient Bolgar and the island of Sviyazhsk have been improved for a very short time. Restoration works of cultural, historical and spiritual monuments were carried out here, new museums were opened, tourist infrastructure was created. Since the inclusion of these sites in the UNESCO list, the number of tourists has increased significantly.

"The inclusion of Bolgar and Sviyazhsk in the prestigious UNESCO list is the result of careful and fruitful work of Tatarstan, Russian and international experts in the field of archeology, urban planning, architecture, protection of cultural heritage, restoration and conservation of monuments. We are deeply aware of our responsibility to UNESCO for further preservation of unique historical sites and we want to assure you in our intention to strictly follow all the established rules for proper preservation of the Kazan Kremlin, the ancient Bolgar and the island-town of Sviyazhsk,” Minnikhanov summed up.

In her turn Irina Bokova noted that together with the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tatarstan takes an active part in the development of the UNESCO initiative to preserve religious cultural heritage. 

Then, Bokova presented the certificate about the inscription of the Dormition Cathedral and Monastery of the island town of Sviyazhsk in UNESCO World Heritage List to Rustam Minnikhanov.

After that, Minnikhanov handed in state awards of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan. In particular, Irina Bokova was awarded the Order "Dyslyk" for her significant contribution to the preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of Tatarstan.

Speaking at the event, Shaimiev noted that Tatarstan is one of UNESCO's experienced and committed partners. Our cooperation is an example of the implementation of UNESCO's high values in the field of culture, education and science, he continued. It is no coincidence that since 2000 three sites have been included in the UNESCO list for the first time in the history of Tatarstan.

During the solemn ceremony, Shaimiev was awarded the title of UNESCO Special Envoy of on strengthening inter-cultural dialogue.