Mintimer Shaimiev: Sabantui allows us to feel closeness and cognation to each other

People of Tatarstan celebrate Sabantui today. Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev congratulated people of the republic on the holiday of plough.

Dear people of Tatarstan!

I congratulate you on the national holiday Sabantui on behalf of the State Council, the republican Parliament and personally!

This holiday appeared in ancient times as a holiday of plough, fertility and abundance. It has always been a long-awaited event. We honor pace-makers of agriculture. We are proud of high results of our workers who make considerable contribution to social-economic development of our republic.

Sabantui combines hospitability, cheerfulness and optimism, mass scale and accessibility for people of different ages and nationalities.

I am sure that qualities tested and experienced during Sabantui competitions will be shown at the World Universiade of 2013 in Kazan. This victory, along with wining the bid for hosting winter Olympics in Sochi, has become a sign of wide international recognition of the Russian Federation and our republic’s sport and social-economic achievements.

I am confident that in the Year of Family this holiday will allow us feel closeness and cognation to each other and get familiarized with the richest spiritual heritage.

I wish you and your families strong health, happiness and prosperity!