On August 21, the annual International Summer School "Bolgar Dialogue of Cultures" opened at the Bolgar Islamic Academy. This year, its work is devoted to the topic " Islamic Cultural Heritage: History and Modernity". The event was organized by the Bolgar Islamic Academy and the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World". More than 40 delegates arrived in Bolgar to participate in the International Summer School, represented by heads of religious associations and public organizations, young researchers, theologians and teachers of educational institutions. Among the guests of honor were the General Consul of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kazan Davoud Mirzakhani and the General Consul of Kyrgyzstan in Kazan Erik Beishembiev. The opening ceremony was moderated by Elmira Sadykova, Head of the Center for Interreligious Dialogue of the Academy, Deputy Director of the Foundation for Assistance to Strategic Dialogue and Partnership.
The School's work began with the grand opening of the photo exhibition "Bulgars - the pearl of cultural heritage, the northern capital of the Islamic world", presenting unique photographs of the ancient city of Bolgar and its historical monuments. The works were presented by Raisa Safiullina, Advisor to the Minister of Culture of Tatarstan.
Then, the rector of the Academy, Farkhat Khusnutdinov, addressed the audience with a welcoming speech, noting that the summer school is being held on the eve of an important event - the announcement of Kazan as the cultural capital of the Islamic world in 2026.
"The value of receiving this high status for Kazan lies in the recognition of the contribution of local educators, scientists, theologians, cultural and artistic figures to world civilization. This is an additional opportunity to introduce the world to the rich culture and traditions of the capital of our Republic. And our summer school is taking place on the eve of this significant event," the rector emphasized.
As part of the school, participants will discuss the most important issues related to the development of cooperation in the study and presentation of the cultural heritage of the Islamic world and its contribution to the development of world civilization.
"It is symbolic that the Bolgar Islamic Academy was created on the land of ancient Bolgar, at the birthplace of a unique civilization. The ruins and what was restored today are the northernmost monument of medieval Muslim architecture in the world. The restored monuments of Islamic culture, monuments of ancient architecture of the ancient city of Bolgar accurately convey the history of our distant ancestors, their multifaceted culture and centuries-old traditions. The city of Bolgar, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014, still plays an important role in the life of Muslims in Tatarstan and Russia and the whole world as a whole, as an architectural monument, and as a spiritual monument, as a place where Islam was voluntarily adopted at the state level in the distant year of 922," summed up Farkhat Khusnutdinov.
Assistant to the Rais of Tatarstan, Deputy Chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World” Marat Gatin shared plans for the further development of the International Summer School.
"Quite important topics were touched upon, such as the cultural code of the Tatar people, the cultural code of the Russian people as a whole. Such events provide a good opportunity to once again convey to the international community the diversity and wealth of the peoples of Russia through the prism of Tatarstan. The plans include scaling up the project and attracting leading experts from around the world," Marat Gatin noted.
On behalf of the Mufti of Tatarstan, his first deputy Ilfar hazrat Khasanov addressed the discussion participants with a welcoming speech. Noting that the event is taking place on the eve of the 1500th anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of the Almighty be upon him), he emphasized that the greatest Islamic heritage is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
"The values with which Muhammad (peace and blessings of the Almighty be upon him) was sent to people are timeless human ideals. Among them are care, cleanliness, respect for women, good neighborliness, love for children. These values are characteristic of all traditional religions. The Sunnah of our Prophet (peace be upon him) is relevant today and gives us ways to confront the challenges of modern times. Following this path will help strengthen interethnic and interreligious peace, promote the reign of social justice and mutual respect in society," assured Ilfar hazrat Khasanov.
The participants of the event also received greetings from the Head of the Department for Interaction with Religious Associations of the Department of the Republic of Tatarstan for Domestic Policy Albert Dirzizov, the Chairman of the Expert Council under the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia for Interaction with the Islamic World Hieromonk Grigory Matrusov, and the Vice President of the Yardam-Pomoshch National Charitable Foundation Malika Gelmutdinova.
In turn, the director of the Council for Islamic Education, Rafik Mukhametshin, rector of the Russian Islamic Institute and Kazan Islamic University, emphasized that the cultural heritage of Muslim peoples has yet to be studied, since society is on the threshold of understanding its foundations.
The executive director of the non-profit organization "Republican Fund for the Revival of Historical and Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Tatarstan" Zulfiya Sungatullina drew attention to the huge contribution of the Bolgar Academy to strengthening interreligious dialogue in her speech. On behalf of the Fund, she presented the Academy with the book "Bulgarica. Time and Space of the Bolgar Civilization". The book-atlas comprehensively presents more than 100 historical maps, plans and diagrams reflecting the spatial history of the Bolgar civilization.
Vice-Rector Archpriest Alexander Pavlov delivered warm words of greeting on behalf of the rector of the Kazan Orthodox Theological Seminary. Reading out the rector's greeting, he drew attention to the fact that culture has always been and is related to spiritual education, since it transforms a person, and such meetings bring its participants and the whole society closer to God.
The event continued with a working session, during which participants shared research results and outlined boundaries for further cooperation in the study, preservation and popularization of Islamic cultural heritage.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"