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| Foto:Sergey Lavrov's |
VISTORBELITUNG.COM,It is a great honor to address you on this momentous occasion as we gather to inaugurate the city of Kazan as the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for 2026. This prestigious designation, bestowed by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), is a testament to the rich historical tapestry, spiritual heritage, and vibrant contemporary culture of Tatarstan and the Russian Federation as a whole.
Kazan stands as a living symbol of peaceful coexistence and mutual enrichment between civilizations, faiths, and traditions. For centuries, it has been a bridge between East and West, a place where the minarets of mosques and the domes of Orthodox churches share the same skyline, reflecting a model of harmony and respect. This unique identity makes Kazan not just a fitting, but an exemplary, bearer of this honorable title.
Today’s event, however, transcends cultural celebration. It reaffirms the profound and enduring ties between Russia and the Islamic world. The majority of Muslim countries are our long-time friends. Our relationships are deeply rooted in a shared history of cooperation, mutual respect, and a common understanding of the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.
More than ever, these relationships are cemented by a shared commitment to building a just multipolar world. We collectively strive for an international order based on the central role of the United Nations Charter, equality among states, and the right of every nation to independently determine its own developmental path, free from external diktat or neocolonial practices. In a world where some seek to impose a monolithic, hegemony-based system, our dialogue and partnership offer a constructive alternative one of balance, cultural diversity, and genuine collective decision-making.
Russia highly values the constructive role played by Muslim nations on the global stage. We stand together in advocating for civilizational dialogue over confrontation, for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and for addressing the challenges of terrorism and extremism. Our collaboration within platforms such as the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is crucial in shaping this emerging, more equitable world order.
The upcoming year of 2026, with Kazan at its cultural forefront, will provide a magnificent platform to showcase not only the artistic and intellectual achievements of the Muslim world but also to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and solidarity between our peoples. It will be an opportunity to demonstrate how cultural diversity, when coupled with mutual respect, becomes a source of strength and progress, not division.
I am confident that Kazan will fulfill its mission with brilliance and hospitality. Let us use this occasion to deepen our understanding, to celebrate our shared humanistic values, and to reiterate our joint resolve to create a future of stability, justice, and cooperation for all.
I wish the organizers and participants of all events within the framework of this program great success.