Compiled and Prepared by MALIK MERCHANT
(Publisher-Editor, Simerg, Barakah and Simergphotos)

DAY FOUR (FINAL DAY): SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

(Days 3, 2 and 1 coverage follow next, in that order)

1. REPORT AND PHOTOS: His Highness the Aga Khan concludes his visit to Kazan

The following summary and photos of His Highness the Aga Khan’s last day in Tatarstan are adopted from the official website of the Ismaili community. For detailed coverage please visit TheIsmaili.

On Saturday 14 September, Mawlana Hazar Imam participated in an Aga Khan Award for Architecture Winners’ Seminar at the Main International Centre, Universidade Village, Kazan. Hazar Imam was joined by members of his family, and leaders of the Jamat and AKDN. Later during the day, he departed Kazan, marking the culmination of his four-day visit to Tatarstan.

Hazar Imam was greeted at the airport by State Counsellor of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev and Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan Shaikhraziev Vasil Gayazovich, who thanked Hazar Imam for visiting the region and wished him a bon voyage. 

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DAY THREE: SEPTEMBER 13, 2019

(Days 2 and 1 coverage follow next, in that order)

1. REPORT: His Highness the Aga Khan visits Kazan Kremlin

(Report compiled from the website of Kazan Kremlin, http://kazan-kremlin.ru and Press Service of the President of the Republic of Tartastan. Video and photos follow report, including a link to see more photos on the website of the Kazan Kremlin).

On Friday September 13, 2019, the Kazan Kremlin was visited by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. Together with the State Advisor to the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev and the director of the museum-reserve Ziley Valeeva, Tatarstan Deputy Prime Minister Vasil Shaykhraziev and others, he walked through the territory and also visited the Kul Sharif Mosque and the Annunciation Cathedral. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV arrived in Tatarstan to participate in the award ceremony of the winners of the 2019 Aga Khan International Architecture Award.

After visiting the Kazan Kremlin, His Highness the Aga Khan and Mintimer Shaimiev went to the Opera and Ballet Theater, to present prizes to the winners of the 2019 Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

The Kazan Kremlin is a unique complex of archaeological, historical and architectural monuments that arose and functioned from the foundation of the city to the present day. In 2000, the Kazan Kremlin was included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.

2. VIDEO: His Highness the Aga Khan visits Kazan Kremlin with a tour of the Kul Sharif Mosque and the Annunciation Cathedral

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3. PHOTOS: His Highness the Aga Khan visits Kazan Kremlin with a tour of the Kul Sharif Mosque and the Annunciation Cathedral

MORE PHOTOS

For more photos of His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Kazan Kremlin, please click on http://kazan-kremlin.ru/new/ego-vysochestvo-prints-karim-aga-han-v-kazanskom-kremle/.

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4. VIDEO: The Aga Khan Award for Architecture Ceremony in Kazan

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5. PHOTOS: The Aga Khan Award for Architecture Ceremony in Kazan

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6. News Reports

The following report is from the Press Service of the President of the Republic of Tartastan.

Today [September 13, 2019] in Kazan, at the Tatar Academic State Opera and Ballet Theater named after M. Jalil, the ceremony of awarding the International Aga Khan Prize in Architecture 2019 took place.

The ceremony was attended by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and the State Advisor to the Republic of Tatarstan, Chairman of the Republican Renaissance Fund, Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation Mintimer Shaimiev, Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan Farit Mukhametshin, Head of the Federal Agency for CIS Affairs, compatriots living abroad, and on international humanitarian cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) Eleanor Mitrofanova, former Director General of UNESCO Irina Bokova and other officials.

At the beginning of the celebration, a film about the 2019 Aga Khan Award winners was shown.

The prize was established in 1977, its total prize pool of [US] $ 1 million is divided between the winners. The prize is awarded every three years for projects that set new standards in architecture, planning, preservation of historical heritage and landscape design. In total, 380 projects from 39 countries took part in the competition. In the finals were 20 projects from 16 countries. One of six prizes was awarded to the Tatarstan project “Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic.”

The ceremony opened with a speech by Eleanor Mitrofanova, Head of the Federal Agency for CIS Affairs, compatriots living abroad, and on international humanitarian cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo).

“It is symbolic that the ceremony of presenting the prestigious Aga Khan architectural award takes place in the Republic of Tatarstan, in this wonderful region. In the republic, which is developing by leaps and bounds, and which only recently added two remarkable objects to the World Heritage List – Bolgar and Sviyazhsk, largely thanks to the efforts of the first President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev and the hardworking multinational people of Tatarstan, who live in harmony, friendship and peace “, she said.

His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV in his speech noted that the importance of this program goes far beyond the scope of individual projects. “The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is not just a prize. This is a process. The process includes a wide range of discussions, conducted throughout the world, which forms the selection system. The theme of the award cycle, the culmination of which we celebrate today, is “Architecture in Dialogue”. This topic, born of discussions within the Steering Committee and the Jury, views architecture as a means for a healthy exchange of views that can encompass many diverse and even opposing points of view. In this dialogue, we must not only express our position, but also carefully listen to others. Moreover, you need not only to listen to each other, but also to learn from each other,” he said.

He further emphasized that the current ceremony is being held in a special place. “Tatarstan has for centuries demonstrated a commitment to the values ​​of pluralism. Kazan and this entire region have long been famous for a rich combination of ethnic groups and cultures, as well as a careful attitude to the preservation and respect of their architectural heritage. While in Kazan and visiting the Bulgarians, I saw how people can with equal respect value cultural identity and cultural diversity. A striking example of how churches and mosques were built and preserved next to each other, personifying the convincing symbols of deep intercultural dialogue. We hope that we will be able to demonstrate to the world this powerful pluralistic model that exists in places such as Kazan and Bulgaria. The world needs such examples. These days, the challenges that humanity is facing climate change, economic and technological inequality, epidemics, political polarization, population migration are accelerating their pace. And under these conditions, we must help each other live with dignity, ” he said.

RT State Advisor, Special Envoy of UNESCO for Intercultural Dialogue Mintimer Shaimiev in his speech expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Minnikhanov Rustam Nurgalievich and all Tatarstan people for the high appreciation of the program for the development of public spaces implemented by the republic and the right to host this ceremony in Kazan.

“We rely on the rich historical and cultural heritage of our people, their contribution to the common heritage of all mankind. We pay special attention to the preservation of interethnic and inter-confessional peace and harmony, the revival of spirituality. For us, the Muslim shrines of the ancient Bulgar, the Orthodox places of the island-city of Sviyazhsk, and the Kazan Kremlin are equally valuable. These three historic sites are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This work, as I have repeatedly expressed, we are conducting publicly “from the heart — for the soul,” he said.

Mintimer Shaimiev also spoke about many of the projects implemented in Tatarstan aimed at solving the most pressing life problems of the population. These are programs on liquidation of dilapidated housing, continuous gasification and informatization of settlements of the republic, construction of roads and others.

“A worthy continuation of our aspirations was the initiative of the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov in 2015 to implement the Program for the Development of Public Spaces. Now in all major cities and most regions of the republic there are beautiful parks and squares — places where everyone will find something to their liking, where it is convenient and safe.

“It is our great honor to be awarded the Aga Khan Award in the field of architecture along with five other important projects from Bangladesh, Palestine, the United Arab Emirates, Senegal and Bahrain. This adds confidence that we are following the right path, aiming us to develop. At present, a new three-year project on improving the courtyards of apartment buildings is being launched in the republic,” he said.

At the end of his speech, Mintimer Shaimiev thanked Prince Karim Aga Khan IV for this prestigious award, which was awarded to Tatarstan. “We regard it as a high appreciation of all the multifaceted activities carried out in the republic in the interests of the people,” he said.

Then His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and Mintimer Shaimiev presented the certificates to the prize winners — the creators of the projects: Arcadia, Bangladesh Educational Project, Palestine Museum, Palestine, Wasit Wetland Center, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Research Department of Alion Diop University, Senegal, Revitalization of Muharraq, Bahrain.

The prize certificate for the Tatarstan project “Program for the Development of Public Spaces” was awarded to the State Advisor to the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev.

At the end of the celebration, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV expressed special gratitude to Mintimer Shaimiev for his many years of efforts to preserve the heritage of Tatarstan and presented him with a “special certificate” — the book “Heritage and Dialogue” published by the Aga Khan Culture Foundation. The book was printed specifically for the ceremony of awarding the International Aga Khan Prize in Architecture 2019 and is dedicated to the activities of the Republic of Tatarstan in the field of preservation of cultural and historical heritage.

MORE COVERAGE

• DAILY NATION KENYA – Aga Khan roots for intercultural dialogue through architecture
• SPUTNIK NEWS RUSSIA – Aga Khan in Kazan: awards, architecture and the joy of the Ismailis

7. BRIEF NOTES: Venue of the Aga Khan Award Ceremony in Kazan and Stamp Cancellation Ceremony in Bolgar

On Friday, September 13, Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, will preside over the ceremony to present the 2019 Aga Khan Award in Architecture (AKAA). The award ceremony will be held in the building of the Tatar Academic State Opera and Ballet Theater named after M. Jalil. One of the prizes will awarded to the Tatarstan project: Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic.

To commemorate the 2019 Award Ceremony, His Highness the Aga Khan and M.Sh. Shaimiev participated in the First Day Cover stamp cancellation ceremony during their visit to Bolgar on Thursday, September 12. The ceremony signifies the date the stamp is initially placed on sale. An image of the Russian mint stamp (not actual size) is shown at left; 53 rubles converts to about CAN $1.05.

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DAY TWO: SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

(Day 1 coverage follows next)

On Thursday, September 12, Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, arrrived in Bolgar, a small town located on the left bank of the Volga River, 140 kilometers (87 mi) south from Kazan. He was accompanied by the State Advisor to the Republic of Tatarstan, M.Sh. Shaimiev.

1. VIDEO: His Highness the Aga Khan visits Bolgar

(high quality video link at end of this post)

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2. PHOTOS: His Highness the Aga Khan visits Bolgar

Bolgar is an important place for Muslim pilgrims. As the symbolic place of acceptance of Islam in 922 by the Volga Bolgars, it became the main pilgrimage site for Tatar Muslims and other Eurasian Muslim groups.

Mawlana Hazar Imam visited the Bulgarian Islamic Academy in Bolgar, where he met with leaders of the Academy. First day covers commemorating the 14th Cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture were released at the Academy. The Award will take place in Kazan on Friday, September 13, 2019.

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3. GALLERY: More photos of His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Bolgar

Photos are published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 from the website of Advisor to the Republic of Tatarstan, M. Sh. Shaimiev. Please visit http://shaimiev.tatarstan.ru/eng/pressa/photoreports/. Note: Photo captions will be completed as they become available.

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4. News Reports of Bolgar visit

The following photo and report is taken from the official website of the Ismaili Muslim community, The.Ismaili.

Earlier today, 12 September, Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Bolgar, located in southwestern Tatarstan, in Russia. During his visit, Hazar Imam spent time at a number of historic site.

During his time in Bolgar, Hazar Imam participated in a postage stamp cancellation ceremony at the Bolgar Islamic Academy. Founded in 2016, the institute of higher education trains graduate students in a variety of fields relating to the study of theology and religion. Hazar Imam was accompanied at the ceremony by Mintimer Shaimiev, State Councellor of Tatarstan; and Daniyar Abdrakhmanov, Rector of the Bolgar Islamic Academy.

Following the ceremony, Mawlana Hazar Imam visited the White Mosque, one of the city’s focal points. The White Mosque contains minarets, a prayer room, and an arcade with 88 columns, while its main dome features exquisite stained glass windows.  

Later in the day, Hazar Imam visited the Bulgarian Civilisation Museum — which exhibits a number of artefacts detailing the development of religion in the area of Tatarstan — and the adjacent Qur’an Museum, the site of one of the largest copies of the Qur’an in the world. Weighing half a ton and measuring over 2 metres tall, its cover is made of fabric with patterned decoration in silver and gold.

The history of Bolgar dates back to the 9th and 10th centuries; the city was once the political, economic, and cultural centre of the Volga Bolgar civilisation. Local residents adopted Islam in the year 922, thus establishing close ties with the Muslim world. The city enjoyed its heyday during the period of the Golden Horde in the 13th century, when it was an important trading centre. The entire historical and archeological complex at Bolgar has been designated as a UNESCO heritage site.

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The following report is from the Press Service of the President of the Republic of Tartastan.

Today [September 12], His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and the State Advisor to the Republic of Tatarstan, Chairman of the Republican Renaissance Fund Mintimer Shaimiev made a trip to the Bulgarian historical and archaeological complex.

They were accompanied by the Head of the Federal Agency for CIS Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) Eleonora Mitrofanova, former UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Vasil Shaykhraziev, Executive Director of the Republican Renaissance Foundation Tatyana Larionova, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan Irada Ayupova, Head of the Spassky Region of the Republic of Tatarstan Kamil Nugaev, Director of the Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve Farhat Mukhametov and other officials.

His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV arrived in Tatarstan to present the 2019 Aga Khan International Prize in Architecture. The award ceremony will be held tomorrow [September 13] in the building of the Tatar Academic State Opera and Ballet Theater named after M. Jalil. One of the prizes was awarded to the Tatarstan project: Program for the Development of Public Spaces of the Republic.

Upon arrival on Bulgarian land, Mintimer Shaimiev invited His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV to see the complex of the Bulgarian Islamic Academy, in which the third academic year began in September this year. The rector of the Bulgarian Islamic Academy Daniyal Abdrakhmanov acquainted the guests with the current activities of the academy. Mintimer Shaimiev told His Highness about the important mission of the Bulgarian Academy, which is the highest link in the revived Islamic education system in Russia, and is preparing the intellectual elite of the country’s Muslim ummah — masters and doctors of Islamic theology.

Mintimer Shaimiev and His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV visited the classroom and talked with students. Then, in the multifunctional hall — the amphitheater of the Academy, the cancellation ceremony of the special postage stamp “International Aga Khan Prize in Architecture 2019” was held. In total, 150 thousand copies of the brand will be issued.

In his welcoming speech, Mintimer Shaimiev thanked the distinguished guest for his visit to Tatarstan. “Thank you so much for reaching these lands and showing great respect for our people, our believers, the Russian Federation, and all of us,” he said.

Mintimer Shaimiev noted that such significant events as the presentation of the International Prize are perpetuated through the creation and redemption of special stamps and thanked everyone whose efforts made this possible.

“It is a great honor for me to be here and with all my heart to welcome all those gathered for this ceremony. I want to say that it is very important to preserve the values ​​of the religion you profess. I am happy to take part in this cancellation ceremony of a postage stamp, which contributes to the spread of world peace,” said Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.

Then the guests visited the complex of the White Mosque and took a tour of the Bulgarian historical and archaeological complex. They visited the Museum of Bulgarian Civilization, examined the Memorial Sign in honor of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgars and the largest printed Qur’an in the world.

More reports

• At website RealnoeVremya .com – Mintimer Shaimiyev: “Care about people generates love and respect for one’s native land”
• At website of Directorate of Sports and Social Projects – Dedicated postage stamp issued in honourr of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture – report has photos
• At TATMEDIA (New Life or Yana Tormysh) – Ancient Bolgar was visited by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and State Advisor to the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimie, with extensive photo gallery

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DAY ONE: SEPTEMBER 11, 2019

1. PHOTOS: His Highness the Aga Khan meets with Mintimer Shaimiev and writes a very special message of his visit

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2. VIDEO: His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Kazan, Tatarstan

NOTE: A link to a high quality video of the arrival is provided near the end of the post. Worth watching in high resolution!

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3. PHOTOS: His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Kazan, Tatarstan

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4. REPORTS: His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Kazan

Compiled from the Press Service of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan

His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan was met at the Kazan International Airport by the State Advisor to the Republic of Tatarstan, UNESCO Special Envoy for Intercultural Dialogue, Mintimer Shaimiev. Tatarstan Deputy Prime Minister Vasil Shaykhraziev, RT Minister of Culture Irada Ayupova, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan – Head of the Secretariat of the State Advisor to the Republic of Tajikistan Oleg Glebov and other officials took part in the brief ceremony. His Highness will participate in the awarding ceremony of the 2019 Aga Khan International Prize in Architecture, which will be held at 3 PM on September 13 in the building of the Tatar Academic State Opera and Ballet Theater named after M. Jalil.

Other External Links

• Принц Ага-Хан IV приезжает в Татарстан: (Prince Aga Khan arrives in Tatarstan). This report in Sputnik news mentions that Mawlana Hazar Imam will be in Tatarstan from September 11-14 for the presentation of the Aga Khan Award, and that during his stay he will also visit the city of Bolgar, the Kazan Kremlin and the White Mosque.

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5. Official schedule of His Highness the Aga Khan

1. His Highness the Aga Khan will arrrive in Kazan on Wednesday, September 11, 2019;
2. On Thursday, September 12, His Highness the Aga Khan will visit the the State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve city of Bolgar (the State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve), in a programme tour of the architectural monuments of the Bulgarian settlement;
3. Bolgar is a town and the administrative center of Spassky District in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, located on the left bank of the Volga River, 140 kilometers (87 mi) from Kazan. Once a homeland of Bulgars – remote ancestors of today statars – now it is a Moslem sanctity and the place of pilgrimage;
4. On Friday, September 13, he will be at the Tatar Academic State Opera and Ballet Theater to preside over the 2019 Aga Khan Award for Architecture (local Kazan time 15:00). The theatre is name after M. Dzhalil; and
5. The programme will also include a sightseeing tour of the Kazan Kremlin.

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6. Links to High Resolution Photos and 5 High Quality Videos

(Note: All photos shown on this post as well as the arrrival video are available in high resolution at the official website of the Tatarstan Government; see links below. They can be freely downloaded without any restrictions under Creative Commons Attribute 4.0. Enjoy the photos and video in this post, as well as the high resolutions ones.

KAZAN VISIT – DOWNLOADABLE HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS AT: http://tatarstan.ru/eng/press/photo.htm/photoreport/5627827.htm

KAZAN ARRIVAL VISIT – HIGH QUALITY VIDEO (length 55 seconds) AT:
http://ftp.prav.tatar.ru/president/2019/09/110919/air/2.mp4

BOLGAR VISIT – HIGH QUALITY VIDEO (10 minutes 28 seconds) AT:
http://ftp.prav.tatar.ru/president/2019/09/120919/bulg/1.mp4

BOLGAR MOSQUE VISIT – HIGH QUALITY VIDEO (3 minutes 13 seconds) AT:
http://ftp.prav.tatar.ru/president/2019/09/120919/bulg/2.mp4

KAZAN AGA KHAN AWARD CEREMONY – HIGH QUALITY VIDEO (15 minutes 50 seconds) AT:
http://ftp.prav.tatar.ru/km/2019/09/130919/prinz/prinz.mp4

KAZAN KREMLIN VISIT – HIGH QUALITY VIDEO (2 minutes 11 seconds) AT:
http://ftp.prav.tatar.ru/km/2019/09/130919/kremlin/1.mp4

Note: All content on the Tatarstan.ru website is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International. Feel free to download the photos and video, and distribute them citing CCA 4.0 (important).

Date posted: September 11, 2019, 11:00 AM, Toronto.
Last updated: September 17, 2019, 16:33 PM, Toronto.

Before departing this website please take a moment to visit Barakah’s Table of Contents for links to more than 170 pieces dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam and his family.

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