On 30 May in Kazan on the square in front of the State Academic Theatre of G. Kamal, official opening of the 10^th International Theatre Festival of Turkic People "Nauruz" took place. From Tuva, folk music ensemble "ShaaLaash" (Sound of Waterfall or of Great River Yenisei) of the Tuvan music and drama theatre performed.  Members of the ensemble: National artist of RT Stanislav Iril )doshpuluur, vocal, khoomei), Merited artist of RT Saidash Mongush (kengirge, vocal, khoomei), director of musical part of the theatre Oktyabr Saaya (igil, vocal, khoomei), and National artist of RT, director of the theatre Nachyn Shalyk (percussions, sygyt).

In the words of Stanislav Iril, the spectators insisted on an encore. "ShaaLaash" will be performing again at the closing of the festival, which will take place on 3 June (on Sabantui holiday).

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhalov was a guest at the "Nauruz" opening ceremony. Not just the participants of the festival, but regular people of Kazan as well were the spectators at the large-scale performance on the occasion of the festival opening. The concert program, just as the organizers promised, included the entire spectrum of Turkic world.

Artist from Azerbaidzhan performed, masters of the ancient art of mugham, Bashkir kurai players, Turkish Dervishes.  National artist of Russia Stepanida Borisova also performed in the concert, one of the best Yakut actresses and prominent ethnic singer.  A much desired guest of "root" music festivals, she was a guest of "Nauruz" for the first time.  Tatar rappers "ITTIFAQ", much loved by young peole of Kazan, dance ensemble "Kazan" and many others  also participated in the opening show. Well and the right to raise the flag of the festival over the square went to artists from Dagestan State Kumyk music and drama theatre of A. Salavat - it was their first visit to the festival in Kazan as well.

Tuvan artist will present the "Kultegin" play today;  journalists' interest in it is very high, according to the organizers, they all want to get to see it.  Evaluations by the jury and audience will take place tomorrow. According to tradition, all performances will be judged by the Collegium of critics, with Doctor of arts, professor RATI-GITIS, chairman of Shakespeare commission of RAN Alexei Bartoshevich at the head.

All these festival days have a very tight schedule. Every day there are about ten plays on five different stages of the Tatarstan capital, press-conferences, concerts, meetings of colleagues, friends and artists.

General Secretary of TURKSOY  Duysen Kaseinov addressed a congratulatory speech to the festival. In his words, it is symbolic that this anniversary "Nauruz" is taking place in the 125^th year since the birth of a great Tatar poet _ Gabdulli Tukai.  Verses from his poem "Tugan tel" will become the iconic anthem of festival "Nauruz". They will be translated into languages of the other Turkic nations, so that the anthem will consist of phrases in several languages at once. This anthem is an original greeting  for all the fans of Tukai's art;  the 125^th anniversary of his birth has just recently been celebrated. The project is being realized under the aegis of Festival "Nauruz". One of its chief tasks is the preservation of the traditions and languages of all nations of the Turkic world.