In Kazan, the names of the winners of the "Snow Leopard" competition were announced.

      A solemn awards ceremony for the winners of the children’s drawing, craft and poster contest “Snow Leopard” was held in Kazan. The event took place in the Zoological Museum and Herbarium named after E. A. Eversmann of Kazan Federal University.

      The contest, organized by the Snow Leopard Scientific Center and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Tatarstan, brought together young talents from various regions of Russia. The jury reviewed 600 works submitted by schoolchildren from Tatarstan, Chuvashia, Udmurtia, Mordovia and Mari El. Forty-two works made it to the final, and 13 were recognized as the best in various categories. The children showed imagination, creating unique works of art from paint, modeling clay, pencils, grains and other materials.

      The awards ceremony was presented by honored guests: Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Tatarstan Alexander Shadrikov; General Director of TAIF-NK AZS LLC Ilshat Fattakhov; General Director of Nefis Cosmetics JSC Dina Lavrikova; Director of the Snow Leopard Scientific Center Vyacheslav Dolgov; Executive Director of SKP “Tatneft − Ak Bars” LLC Mansur Usmanov; Director of the Institute of Problems of Ecology and Subsoil Use of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan Rifgat Shagidullin; Director for External Communications and Government Relations of Tatspirtprom JSC Anna Ishakova; and Vice-Rector for Legal Affairs and Property Relations of Kazan Federal University Farida Khamidullina.

      Opening the event, Minister of Ecology Alexander Shadrikov told reporters about the importance of the project for the republic:

      “Tatarstan is engaged with the snow leopard. In 2018 we began implementing the national project ‘Ecology’, which is now the national project ‘Environmental Well-being’; there is a separate federal program within it called ‘Biodiversity Conservation’. Tatarstan’s initiative was supported by the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia, and we entered this federal program with a project to create a Snow Leopard Center.” He also noted that, with the support of the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the company Tatneft, a Snow Leopard Center was built in the Altai, which is one of the best scientific centers in the world.

      “Today’s contest contributes to popularizing environmental knowledge among children,” the minister emphasized.

      In his welcoming remarks, Director of the Institute of Problems of Ecology and Subsoil Use of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan Rifgat Shagidullin drew attention to the deep symbolism of the irbis (snow leopard) for Tatarstan:

      “The irbis is a symbol of our republic. The white leopard is depicted on the coat of arms as a mythical creature that came to us from our ancestors. It embodies strength, nobility, independence and the defense of our native land. The white leopard represents Tatarstan as a region that not only honors traditions but also looks confidently to the future.”

      Presenting awards to the youngest participants, Vice-Rector of KFU Farida Khamidullina noted:

      “It is right that we involve children in this celebration. It is our duty to preserve the planet, so we have a great responsibility in front of children.”

      While awarding winners, General Director of TAIF-NK AZS LLC Ilshat Fattakhov said in his speech:

      “Our company, TAIF, is socially oriented, actively participates in important republican projects, paying special attention to the environment and natural resources. Today agreements are scheduled to be signed, which is particularly symbolic on Snow Leopard Day. Only by working together can we preserve all the riches of our world and pass them on to future generations.”

      General Director of Nefis Cosmetics JSC Dina Lavrikova expressed gratitude to the organizers and mentors:

      “First of all, I want to congratulate you on this holiday, which is directly connected with Tatarstan — on Snow Leopard Day! I want to thank the contest organizers, because choosing the best of the best is always difficult. Huge thanks also to the parents and teachers who inspired and guided the children! The contest is arranged so that you always have to choose the best, so we choose!”

      Director for External Communications of Tatspirtprom JSC Anna Ishakova addressed the young participants:

      “This contest has shown not only the children’s talents but also their understanding of the main task — the task of uniting to save our nature. I want to appeal to the youngest contest participants and say: we are making a great contribution to the life of our planet, and we are responsible for the animal world, for its diversity and development.”

      The climax of the ceremony was the awarding of the winner and the grand prize — a trip to the Altai to the Snow Leopard Scientific Center. The prize went to Matvey Daryin, a student of Lyceum No. 182, Kazan. The prize was presented personally by Minister of Ecology Alexander Shadrikov.

      He thanked all the participants:

      “We see the children’s enthusiasm. I am sure that in the future the scale of this contest will be expanded. I want to express my gratitude to parents and teachers for instilling in children a love of nature. As I have always said and continue to say: people who treat nature and the world around them well will certainly treat people well too. You are raising kindness in children, and for that you have special thanks!”

      According to the results of the contest, the winners are:

      In the category “Younger age group (grades 1–4): craft”:

      3rd place: Adelina Shakirova, Lyceum No. 182, Kazan, work “Snow Leopard”;

      2nd place: Serafima Guryanova, School No. 132, Kazan, work “Barsik in the Mountains of Altai”;

      1st place: Daniil Schastye, Algorithm Lyceum, village Kuyuki, Pestrechinsky District, craft “Bar in the Heart of Nature.”

      In the category “Younger age group (grades 1–4): drawing”:

      3rd place: Aelita Mamedova, Lyceum No. 133, Kazan, work “Greetings from Barsik!”;

      2nd place: Timur Davletshin, Lyceum No. 38, Nizhnekamsky District, drawing “The Winged Defender of Tatarstan”;

      1st place: Samira Fetkullova, Shygyrdan School named after Professor E.Z. Feizov, Batyrevsky District, Chuvash Republic, work “Live, Irbis”;

      Special prize “Jury’s Favorite”: Radmir Salimov, Lyceum named after Hero of the Soviet Union G.K. Kamaleev, village Novoye Shigaleevo, Pestrechinsky District, work “Snow Leopards in a Winter Forest.”

      In the category “Middle age group (grades 5–9)”:

      3rd place: Amir Kurumkhanov, School No. 24, Kazan, work “Snow Leopard”;

      2nd place: Valeria Medentzova, School No. 64, Kazan, work “A Look of Trust”;

      1st place: Amalia Turpitko, School No. 115, Kazan, work “Portrait of a Snow Leopard”;

      Special prize “Jury’s Favorite”: Ralina Abubekyarova, Lyceum No. 182, Kazan, work “Snow Leopard.”

      In the category “Senior age group (grades 10–11)”:

      1st place: Viktoria Prikhodko, Gymnasium No. 8, Kazan, work “The Snow Leopard and His Friends.”

      Grand Prize:

      Matvey Daryin, Lyceum No. 182, Kazan, work “The Beauty and Strength of Tatarstan.” He is the recipient of the main prize — a guided trip to the Altai to the Snow Leopard Scientific Center.