In multinational Russia, the word "Sabantuy" often means cheerful and noisy, often youthful, party . But in fact it is a traditional national holiday, timed to a specific time of year . In our country, Sabantuy is celebrated by Bashkirs and Tatars, the latter - with a special scale . Otherwise, in any way: after all Sabantuy marks the end of spring labors and the arrival of the long-awaited summer . In translation from the Tatar "Sabantuy" ("Saban Tue" or "Saban Bayram") - this is the "plow wedding" . U Tatars of Mordovia have a similar holiday, which Baltai be ordered ( "honeymoon holiday") . Something similar is and in the northern Caucasus .

sabantuy historically lasted a long time, beginning in spring and ending up closer to summer. Today, the state of affairs is somewhat different, and often Tatars note not one but two Sabantuyas: the first is symbolically timed to the end of spring, and the second - to the beginning of autumn, before the mowing.

The traditional prize for the last finalist - live lamb - is handed to this day, although in recent years it has been increasingly supplemented with something more "urban" (for example, a car).

Sabantuy in Kazan is the last of a long series of holidays that take place all over Tatarstan . With a specific date, they usually guess by Sunday: there is no official day for Sabantuy . AND Sabantuy was filled with a lot of ceremonial actions, which were carried out in strict sequence . They included egg painting, walking to guests, and collecting products for the joint preparation of certain festive dishes . Nowadays everything has become a bit simpler, but too fun: Sabantuy in Kazan - folk festivities, refreshments and games . In recent years, events often take place outside the city .

Sabantuy in Kazan in 2013

The tradition of Sabantuy involves cleaning in the house and collecting gifts on the eve of of the festival . The very celebration and the place where it is held is called the same - Maydan . Here they arrange tables with refreshments and everything necessary for the competitions . In Kazan Sabantuy necessarily opens the speech of the President of the Republic, after which the cultural program begins with music and dancing . After the time of sports competitions, for the victory in which the participants receive prizes . The most spectacular part of the competition is the last one in which batyr fighters fight each other in the national fight . Traditional prize for the last fi alista - a live lamb - are handed to this day, although in recent years it is increasingly supplemented by something more "urban" (for example, a car) . Fun on the Maidan runs from the late morning until the middle of the day . After lunch begins a more youthful and less official part of Sabantuy ("evening Sabantuy") .

In the Soviet era, Sabantuy was not very approved, and many traditional actions were banned. Today, everything is exactly the opposite: all three presidents of the Russian Federation attended Kazan Sabantuy at different times and even personally took part in competitions.

The time and place of Sabantuya in Kazan is determined annually by the decree of the city administration.

In 2015 Sabantuy in Kazan will celebrate on June 21.