Welcome to Kazan,
which awaits all friends with open arms !
Kamil Iskhakov Mayor of Kazan
 This hospitable
city, which I have the honour to serve as mayor, has
extended a warm welcome to all guests ever since its
foundation the eleventh century. Today, the city is
entering a new period in i ts long life, but one that is
characterised, at the same time by a revival of the
ancient and eternal values of our people.
Kazan, one of the biggest and most important cultural
and industrial centres on the Volga River, with a
population nearing 1.2 million made up of 77 different
ethnic groups, is the capital of the Republic of
Tatarstan, which in 1994 was the first of the former
republic of the Russian Federation to sign a bilateral
treaty with Russia, thus showing the way to create a new
Federatoin on the basis of mutual agreement and voluntary
partnership.
About the past of Kazan and its architectural heritage
you will learn from the book "Kazan. The Enchanted
capital. Flint River Press, London, 1995, 144 p."
About the present it is more difficult to speak, for in
the words of a poet: "Face to face , you see no
face.The great is better judged from a distance."
The city is now experiencing major changes that call for
the constant concern and steadfast efforts of all who
cherish its past and look forward with hope to its
future. Kazan, always an inte rmediary between East and
West, is now playing a growing role in international
business relations, organising large exhibitions, and
trade fairs, strengthening ties with twins cities, such
as Braunschweig in Germany, and multiplying its business
links wit h the world.
But our past has taught us that economic prosperity is
directly linked to the spiritual and intellectual aspects
of life, and with freedom of thought and information. It
is hoped that this book will increase understanding
abroad of the national cult ures of the peoples of
Tatarstan by recounting the fascinating history of the
ancient Tatar capital.
How do we view its future? Along with the construction
of a Metro and a telecommunications system that will
ensure rapid contact with all part of the globe, we are
also giving thought to the architectural future of this
fast expanding city. It is important that new development
should harmonise with the urbane whole, and particurlarly
its historic nucleus, which itself needs rejuvenation, so
that the face of Kazan may shine with all its former
brightness. Architecture, they say, is silent music. I f
this is true, then the Old Tatar Settlement has long
awaited its own orchestra. In times gone by, it was one
of the spiritual and commercial centres of the city,
where great poets and thinkers, found fertile ground for
their work, where merchants pros pered, and amazingly
creative craftsmen laboured.
We sincerely hope that the rich history and poetical
images to be found in this book will encourages readers
to visit Kazan and give them a true picture and
understanding of the city and the people.
Kamil Iskhakov
Mayor of Kazan
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