Bolgar historical and archeological complex is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List

June 23, 2014 in Doha (Qatar) by decision of the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee Bolgar historical and archeological complex is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Bolgar historical and archeological complex became 1002nd object included in the list.

Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve was established in 1969 and is the oldest one in the Republic of Tatarstan. It is located on the banks of the Volga River, just south of its confluence with the Kama River, in south of Kazan. Here are the ruins of the medieval city of Bolgar (Bulgaria), early hearth of civilization of the Volga Bolgars. The city existed between VII and XV centuries and was the first capital of the Golden Horde in the XIII century.

Bolgar was the historic center of cultural exchanges and the changes taking place in Eurasia for several centuries, it was played a decisive role in the formation of civilizations, lifestyle and cultural traditions. The complex is a wonderful testimony of historical change and cultural diversity, a symbolic reminder of the spread of Islam from the Volga Bolgars, who embraced Islam in 922 new times to modern Muslim Tatars. The place is sacred and revered place of pilgrimage.

Bolgar was submitted to the World Heritage List in 2013. The World Heritage Committee at its session in June last year in Pnompen (Cambodia) recognized worldwide universal value of the ancient city of Bolgar. At the same application on the project was sent to the short-term revision (referral) in conjunction with specialists of advisory bodies of UNESCO. Large-scale restoration works were carried out in Bolgar with the assistance of "Vozrozhdenie" fund, under the leadership of the First President of the Republic of Tatarstan and Republic of Tatarstan State Counsellor , M.Shaimiev.

Its support for the nomination " Bolgar historical and archeological complex " expressed Permanent Representatives of the World Heritage Committee to UNESCO: Lebanon, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Senegal, Poland, Japan, Qatar, India, Germany, Finland, Colombia, Algeria, Serbia, Malaysia, Turkey.

General Secretary of the National Committee of UNESCO of the Republic of Kazakhstan Assel Utegenova said: "Bolgar - one of the most famous monuments of medieval Eurasia. Archaeological research of this invaluable historical and cultural monument brought not only a large number of unique findings, presented significant museum collections, but also opened the state's history of Volga Bolgars, the gateway of trade between East and West. We fully support the inclusion of Bolgar as an outstanding object of history and culture in the UNESCO World Heritage List."

Permanent Representative of Qatar to UNESCO Ali Zainal told how he visited the city in 2012, which is located at the crossroads of cultures and destinies of many nations and civilizations, so deserves inclusion in the World Heritage List. He thanked Russia and Tatarstan for the presentation of such a significant monument to world history.

With words of thanks on behalf of the Republic of Tatarstan in the session, the Assistant to the President on Social Affairs, Executive Director of the National Fund of revival historical and cultural monuments of the Republic of Tatarstan, Tatiana Larionov.

"The Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan gladly accept so long-awaited and important for us decision to include in the World Heritage List of the ancient city of Bolgar. This historical, architectural and spiritual monument is the site of the voluntary adoption of Islam in the most northern areas, as we say, Islam is on snow. Many thousands of people each year come to Bolgar to pay tribute to its ancient history, to worship the holy land, to pray at the preserved historical minarets. Just recently, more than 30,000 Muslims of Russia and many guests from different countries of the world took part in the celebration in Bolgar 1125-th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by Volga Bolgars. We consider it particularly important that the decision about the inclusion of Bolgar adopted here in Qatar, in the Holy Land, where Islam confessed from the seventh century. "- she said.

Deputy Director of the Bolgar Museum AndreyFaskhutdinov expressed the hope that the status of the object of UNESCO will attract more tourists. According to the development program, presented at the session in Qatar, Bolgar was visited by 200,000 guests in 2013.

25.06.2014

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