Mukhametshin: A comprehensive program for the preservation of native languages is being implemented in Tatarstan.

      In Cheboksary, a joint off-site meeting of the relevant committees of the State Councils of the Chuvash Republic and the Mari El Republic took place, dedicated to issues of preserving and developing native languages. The Honorary Chairman of the State Council of the Republic, Chairman of the Assembly of Peoples of Tatarstan Farid Mukhametshin shared the experience of Tatarstan in this area, reports the press service of the State Council of RT. He noted that the interaction of the parliaments of Tatarstan, Chuvashia, and Mari El is built not only on agreements but also on the historical and cultural community of the peoples, as well as on developed trade and economic cooperation. "Undoubtedly, our republics are bright examples of polyethnicity, multicultural, multilingual, and multiconfessional republics. This is our competitive advantage," emphasized Mukhametshin. According to him, issues of language policy are of high significance at the federal level. He reminded about the adoption of the Foundations of the State Language Policy of Russia and that the year 2026 has been declared the Year of Unity of the Peoples of the Country, calling this topic particularly relevant. Mukhametshin also cited data from international and Russian studies, according to which a significant number of languages are under threat of extinction, which requires the search for new approaches to their preservation. "In Tatarstan, work on the preservation, study, and development of native languages is systematic. Modern Tatarstan is a republic that simultaneously combines, on the one hand, the dynamics of economic growth and development, ambition in creating innovative industries, and on the other hand, a republic with established centuries-old traditions of good-neighborly peaceful coexistence of representatives of various nationalities and religious confessions, where representatives of 175 nationalities live in peace and harmony. For us, there are no large and small peoples; there is a people with a rich heritage of language, culture, customs, and traditions," he noted. The Honorary Chairman of the State Council of RT added that the republic implements state programs aimed at supporting linguistic and cultural diversity, and specialized commissions operate under the President of Tatarstan. The region has a developed education system: 880 schools with Russian as the language of instruction, 578 with Tatar, as well as educational institutions with Chuvash, Udmurt, Mari, and other ethnocultural components. Since 2019, the multilingual education project "Aydymnar" has been implemented. The Assembly of Peoples of Tatarstan plays a significant role, which has been supporting interethnic and interfaith harmony for over 30 years. It includes 269 public associations representing 39 nationalities, and friendship houses and centers have been opened in 14 municipalities. Major ethnocultural events are held annually in the republic, including "Maslenitsa," "Navruz," "Sabantuy," "Karavon," as well as holidays celebrating the cultures of the peoples of Tatarstan. "It is gratifying that the ideological inspirers of many projects are the national and cultural autonomies themselves. They do not wait for the state; they submit grant applications themselves, win them, and implement them. Such projects not only help preserve traditions and unique culture but also serve mutual enrichment, fostering respect among people of different nationalities," emphasized Mukhametshin. According to him, over three decades, it has been possible to activate ethnocultural life in the republic and draw public attention to issues of interethnic harmony, consolidating residents around common values, language, and historical memory.

      Photo: press service of the State Council of RT