"Success is here, there is grain": how Sabantuy-2026 took place in Kazan

      The secret of mom's pancakes Raifa RT, the tower of Syuyumbike made of chak-chak and the "gray mouse" against the backdrop of Fazleeva

      "The manifestation of the mercy of the Almighty. It's no wonder that during a drought, people ask Allah for rain," commented the downpour under which the Kazan Sabantuy took place, Mufti of RT Kamill Samigullin. He was fully supported by the head of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic Marat Zyabbarov, for whom the Plow Festival can be said to be under his jurisdiction. Competitions, treats, songs, dances, and stunning fashion from some officials were evaluated by a correspondent from "BUSINESS Online".

      Tatar seam and tea for 3,000 people

      "The match will take place in any weather" — last Saturday, this expression could have been the motto of Kazan Sabantuy-2026: the holiday greeted guests with a downpour, against which cloaks and umbrellas were powerless, and even tents bent under the pressure of water. However, the elements did not scare away the lovers of spectacles — the traffic jams near the birch grove of the village of Mirny two hours before the start of the holiday spoke for themselves. "Grace, you see, it's raining — Allah's mercy, a manifestation of the mercy of the Almighty," philosophically noted the Mufti of Tatarstan Kamill Samigullin, who arrived at Sabantuy as one of the first. "It's no wonder that during a drought, people gather for a special prayer, make dua, and ask Allah for rain. Remember 2010, when there was a drought? This is not paradise, so everything is as ordered. But everything is fine, the high guests of the summit all left satisfied — it would have been unpleasant if they had been caught in such rain. And we will rejoice." As for the high guests, the delegates of the Russia – ASEAN summit, unfortunately, they were not present — even the call of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to visit the Tatar holiday went unnoticed. However, there are also advantages to this — less crowding and security measures. And the rain, in the opinion of the Minister of Agriculture and Food of RT Marat Zyabbarov, is still a blessing, especially for the future harvest: "To the joy of agriculture, it has been raining for the second day, rain was very much needed. Yes, precipitation in June was about 36 percent of the norm. I think these two days will replenish a good supply. This will positively affect both fodder harvesting and grain crops, and any plant. It will slightly delay fodder harvesting, but I think the weather will stabilize, it will be good. So for the future harvest — wonderful weather." The rain was no obstacle for the State Ensemble of Folk Music of RT under the direction of Aidar Faizrakhmanov. "We are ready to show our art, even if stones fall from the sky," he assured. "For us, there is no rain, no snow, no fog — we work!" Guests of the holiday were welcomed by the courtyards of 11 districts of the republic, traditionally starting with the site of the homeland of Gabdulla Tukay, the Arsky district. There, they decided to surprise guests with culinary delights: they baked pies, pancakes, and peremyachi in the oven. "We want to treat Rustam Nurgalievich and all who wish. We are preparing to invite 3,000 people for tea," said Arsky restaurateur Liliya Nuryazanova. The tower of Syuyumbike made of chak-chak could be called a miracle of culinary art. The district administration brought craftsmen with their crafts, agricultural leaders, and the legendary "Archa chitikläre" — Arsky ichigi. Once, this footwear was famous throughout the Soviet Union, and a whole factory operated in Tukay's homeland. Now, according to the head of the district Almaz Khisamutdinov, there are plans to revive production. "The most difficult thing is the Tatar seam, which is done by hand. While the masters are alive, we must hurry to pass on the skills to the young," says Khisamutdinov. Each district prepared something special; for example, according to the head Ildus Zaripov, the Laishevsky district brought ancient musical instruments.

      How to happily meet Sabantuy

      Traditionally, the main Kazan Sabantuy begins with the arrival of the president of Tatarstan. Rustam Minnikhanov arrived with his son Iskander. He was accompanied by the mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, Hero of Russia, chairman of the board of the "Movement of the First" Arthur Orlov. The Vice Prime Minister of RT Leila Fazleeva appeared in an unusual outfit: in a brown suit with Aladdin pants, in a cap of the same color, a black kimono, with long golden pendants. The Minister of Culture of RT Irada Ayupova, who loves to appear in national outfits, stated: "Today I am a gray mouse." The correspondent of "BUSINESS Online" jokingly asked Metshin why it was not possible to ensure clear weather. In response, the mayor recalled such a story: "In 2001, I think, when I was a young mayor of Nizhnekamsk, I welcomed Mintimer Sharipovich and Sakina Shakirovna. Shaimiev asks: 'Why do you look so upset?' — 'It's raining.' And he said: 'The happiest person is the one who meets Sabantuy in the rain. There will be a harvest, there will be grain'." Thanks to the children and the teachers who prepared them. We asked the kids: 'Maybe you'll leave?' They replied: 'No, we rehearsed so much, we want to see the president, show the guests the program.' Thank you that despite the rain, a lot of people came. Thanks to the heads of rural districts for preparing a large program. The rain could have waited a little, but nature has no bad weather." The honored guests first visited the courtyard of the Arsky district. There they enjoyed national dishes, honored exemplary families, and took photos with those who wished. They then moved to the site of the Kukmor district — the homeland of the mother of the president of RT Vasiha Minnikhanova, a native of the village of Verkhny Iskubash (Kazaklar). According to locals, she baked pancakes using a special recipe. Nurfia Kuramshina, who works as a teacher in a school in the village of Bereznyak during her free time from Sabantuy, treated everyone, saying: "This is made according to the recipe of Rustam Nurgalievich's mother." "For 1 liter of milk — one tablespoon of salt, three tablespoons of sugar and oil, four eggs, and a pack of dry yeast 'Saf Moment'," revealed the recipe Nurfia. Minnikhanov tied a towel to a pole — a gift for the competition participants, tried on a beanie cap, drank tea, showed his son how to cut noodles, participated in several competitions, and petted a horse.

      Tatars are true heroes both in work and in fun

      In the square, a theatrical performance dedicated to the heritage of the Tatar people unfolded. "I congratulate you on our beloved holiday — the Day of the Plow," greeted the gathered Minnikhanov. "This is very important because bread is the head of everything. Today, together with us are the heads of municipalities, wonderful courtyards, artists, athletes, and most importantly — all our friends are with us. I sincerely welcome everyone to the capital of our republic. Sabantuy is in every village, every district, and every city. The concluding holiday traditionally takes place in Kazan." The president addressed the mayor of Kazan: "Thank you very much to you and your team. We held BRICS, the Russia-ASEAN forum. We are proud of our capital, proud of our results. There is great labor from the people of Kazan here." "We did everything to make our city memorable for guests — almost 10,000 people from all over the world came," noted Metshin. "They saw multi-ethnic Russia, our beautiful Tatarstan and Kazan. Today we rejoice that on the table of Tatars and Russians there is both bread and song. We live as one big friendly family." The competitions then began. Kazan residents and guests of the city could test their strength in the struggle of köräsh, kettlebell lifting, climbing a pole, and other traditional games. More than 2,000 artists performed on stage. The audience warmly welcomed the People's Artists of RT Salavat Fatkhutdinov and Filyus Kagirov, and the Honored Artist of RT Ilysiya Badretdinova. The climax of the holiday was the struggle of the heroes. The absolute hero of Sabantuy received an "iron horse" — a Lada Granta car.

      Alfred Mukhametrahimov

      Photo in the announcement: Andrey Titov