The recognition of Kazan as the cultural capital of the Islamic world in 2026 marks a new direction in Russia's relations with Islamic civilization, as well as a clear testament to the historical depth and spiritual richness of Tatarstan and the entire region. This is eloquently demonstrated by both the ancient cities of the Volga region and the literary heritage of the Tatar people, where a special place is occupied by the figure of Abu Ali ibn Sina, also known as Avicenna — a recognized genius of world thought whose image lives on as a symbol of wisdom, intellectual courage, and service to knowledge.
This outstanding medieval encyclopedist left behind a colossal legacy encompassing philosophy, medicine, natural science, and art. Tatar educators devotedly studied and popularized his works. For example, Shihabetdin Marjani, with deep respect, dedicated an article to Ibn Sina in 1883, "Abu Gali Sina", in which he recounted his life's journey based on his autobiography and the testimonies of his contemporaries. Almost thirty years later, in 1911, Rizaetdin Fakhretdin popularized the scholar's major works in his article " Ibn Sina".
Qayum Nasiri went even further. He not only included information about Ibn Sina's works in his famous "Kazan Calendars" — a unique periodical for the Tatar people in the late 19th century — but also published the fairy tale "Abu Gali Sina" in 1872, based on a translation of the work of the Turkish author Ziyaddin Sait Yahya. He adapted the text, purging it of complex borrowings and making it accessible to a wider audience. Researchers believe that in the legends of Ibn Sina, Nasiri saw the ideal of a scholar-educator, whose intelligence and morality triumph over wealth and power.
In the story, based on folklore, Abugalisina is portrayed as a brilliant shakird, and later as a wise assistant who uses her knowledge to oppose unjust rulers. The book's popularity was enormous: between 1881 and 1908, it was reprinted eight times. Ibn Sina's legacy itself was well known to Tatar shakirds: Kazan libraries hold his manuscripts; the classic Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukay quoted a student song mentioning the "Book of Healing" in his lecture "Folk Literature"; and Marjani characterized Avicenna as a follower of Aristotle and a popularizer of classical literature.
The memoirs of the writer Naki Isanbet add to this picture: as a child, while rummaging through the attics of old mosques, he found books mentioning Aristotle. His older brother's explanation — that Arab scholars had saved the ancient heritage, and that the shakirds had direct access to it through Arabic — was a revelation for Isanbet about the profound connection between Tatar scholarship and Islamic civilization. In 1958, the writer embodied these ideas in the dramatic poem "Abugalisina".
Isanbet's innovation lies in setting the action in medieval Bulgar, symbolically linking the legacy of Islamic civilization to the Tatar land. As a wandering dervish, Abugalisina arrives in the "golden city of Bolgar," where he discovers that his works, such as the “Book of Healing”, are renowned and highly valued. The scholar becomes a mentor to a young merchant, revealing the secrets of science to him, and earns the people's respect as a physician and sage. Through this plot, Isanbet affirms the ideal of enlightenment: knowledge should serve the people, liberating them from ignorance.
Based on research by Mileusha Khabutdinova from Kazan Federal University, it can be argued that the image of Ibn Sina continues to inspire in the 21st century. At the turn of the century, journalist Elvira Kudretskaya organized the "Abugalisina Club" program series on Radio Tatarstan. A modern adaptation by Aigul Akhmetgalieva based on the story by Qayum Nasiri "Abugalisina" performance at the Ekiyat Puppet theater premiered in 2022. In 2023, a vibrant children's musical based on this script was staged. Avicenna's legacy remains alive, adapting to new formats and preserving its educational essence. Kazan's status as the cultural capital of the Islamic world will undoubtedly give new impulse to the understanding of this eternal image.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Shukhrat Sadiev/Creative Commons 4.0