After a four-year break, a new "Tatar Girl" will be chosen in Tatarstan, and Defne will perform at the finale.

      Twelve girls will compete for the title of "Tatar Kızı" in Almetyevsk

      Defne will perform at the final in Almetyevsk

      The last holder of the winning hasitê and kalfak – the main symbols of the "Tatar Kızı" contest – remains the editor-in-chief of the magazine "Yalkyn," Enzhe Gabdullina. She won the title back in 2022, after which the republican final of the contest in Tatarstan was not held. That is why the upcoming final in Almetyevsk will be the first in four years. From October to December 2025, municipal and zonal stages of the contest took place in Tatarstan. In January 2026, the semi-final was held in Kazan, during which the participants underwent intellectual and creative challenges. The republican final was initially planned for March, but due to the month of sacred fasting, it was postponed to a later date. Twelve girls representing nine districts of Tatarstan reached the final. The largest number of finalists – three participants – will represent the Baltasinsky district.

      Before the final, the participants will undergo a cultural and educational program and present their projects. The jury includes experts and educators who worked with the girls during the qualifying stages of the contest.

      "Defne will perform at the final of the republican contest in Almetyevsk. She will not only sing, but she will also have a joint number with the participants," said Almaz Khaliullin, the chairman of the international contest "Tatar Kızı," to the correspondent of "Tatar-inform."

      The screenwriter and main ideologist of the dramatic part of the final "Tatar Kızı" is the laureate of the State Prize of Tatarstan named after Tukay, Rezeda Zainieva. One of the central themes of the final show is the concept of "Seven Roots" ("Җиде тамыр").

      The "seven roots" refer to the main components of Tatar identity – what every Tatar girl should know and cherish. These include the native language, the history of the people, traditions, literature, religion, family, and homeland.

      "They should 'uncover' these seven roots, and at the concert, each of them will have to demonstrate an example of such a root," Zainieva explained.

      These "seven roots" concern not only the girls but also anyone who calls themselves Tatar, the playwright noted.

      "There is no competitive element in our contest"

      The "Tatar Kızı" contest is hard to call a classic beauty pageant. Rather, it is about a harmonious combination of external data, knowledge, talents, and personal qualities of the participants. This opinion was expressed by Almaz Khaliullin in response to a journalist's question.

      "A person has both external and internal beauty. When these come together – that’s what our contest is about. I would even call it not a contest, but a 'family project,' because there is no competitive element here," he said.

      According to Khaliullin, the organizers strive to create an atmosphere of support and mutual assistance, rather than harsh competition. However, it is impossible to completely avoid the spirit of competition.

      "Tatar kızları" always strive to present themselves in the best light, so a certain element of competitiveness is inevitably present, he noted. However, this does not prevent the participants from supporting each other and maintaining friendly relations throughout the project.

      "For me, participating in the contest is a pride because I have been working towards this for several years. I looked at other girls and thought: 'Wow, how cool!'" Enzhe Gabdullina told the correspondent of "Tatar-inform."

      According to her, the contest, which may seem like an ordinary stage performance from the outside, is actually a much larger project. Participants undergo intellectual challenges, demonstrate skills in applied arts – cooking, sewing, and handicrafts, as well as showcase their talents in singing and dancing.

      For each challenge, the contestants receive points, based on which a ranking of the participants is formed and the finalists are determined. Thus, the evaluation of the girls begins long before the final show.

      As noted at the press conference dedicated to the contest, the final concert itself is primarily a bright stage performance for the audience. The main work, on which the final result depends, takes place during the preparation and numerous contest challenges.

      Participants from Arab countries are joining the final in Turkmenistan

      According to the organizers, Turkmenistan has already confirmed its readiness to host the international final of the contest and ensure a high level of its conduct. The event is scheduled for October 2026.

      The winner of last year's contest, Alsu Rafikova – a native of Dashoguz – is participating remotely in the preparation for the final. She currently lives and works in Kazan and is also actively involved in projects and forums of the World Congress of Tatars. Therefore, she is connecting remotely to the organization of the contest in her homeland.

      It is expected that about 40 participants will compete for the title of the main Tatar girl in the international final in Turkmenistan. The contest will unite representatives of the Tatar people not only from Russian regions but also from Turkey, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

      According to the contest regulations, regional qualifying stages must be completed by July 5. This will allow participants from Arab countries to join the international final. According to Almaz Khaliullin, the organizers are actively working in this direction and hope to see contestants from Middle Eastern countries this year.

      "We have already started preparations," he told the correspondent.

      The composition of the jury for the international final has not yet been determined.

      "There is still time to think about it. [The jury] will consist of educators or other famous personalities and public figures," noted the chairman of the contest's directorate.

      The main prize will still be a car. However, the specific make of the car that will be awarded to the winner has not yet been disclosed by the organizers. While in previous years, titleholders traditionally received a Lada Granta, this time the organizers are not rushing to name the brand. It is possible that the contest will depart from the established tradition for the first time, and the winner will receive a car from a different brand.

      Photo: © Salavat Kamaletdinov / "Tatar-inform"