The opening of the first pedestrian and bicycle trail of the Republic of Tatarstan “Tukay’s way” was hold in Arsk.

It is a unique, cultural, ecological, pedestrian and bicycle route, dedicated to the life of the great Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukay. Kazan Innovative University entered the Organizing Committee of the National project “Tukay’s way”.

A goal of the project “Tukay’s way” is to breathe a new life into the life of Tatar villages, to preserve the Tatar language, to revive historical and cultural monuments. The project will also contribute to the development of entrepreneurship, the communication between the city and villages.

Citizens and guests of the Republic enthusiastically perceived the opening of the cultural route on Poet’s tracks. Students, including KIU foreign students, staff and teachers of KIU with a big team went to a walking tour with KIU Rector Asiya Timiryasova. All of them showed an excellent athletic and physical training.

The pedestrian and bicycle route 21 km in length ran fr om Arsk through such settlements as Nyzhnye Meteski, Verhnye Meteski, Mendyush, Old Korlay, New Iyabash to New Korlay, wh ere the poet spent a part of his childhood. During this trip participants learned the history and culture of Tatar people, tried the national Tatar cuisine, went a part of the way by cart and attended the museum of Gabdulla Tukay in New Korlay.

Rector of KIU, Asiya Timiryasova, shared her thoughts and impressions: “This route will be alive. A day before was rainy and till the last moment people doubted whether the project would be hold. In spite of all obstacles, the participants dared into this traveling and were awarded with the good weather and close acquaintance with the National culture. It was especially pleasant that many people responded to this idea. Among those were students from Colombia, who came to Russia to learn the Russian language. Here they were completely able to deepen into the culture and life of the Tatar people”.

Colombian students Leal Rojas Danna Valentina and Salcedo Camacho Sebastian Andres told how they overcame this long route.

“The most I liked to communicate with people, whom I had met there, - said Sebastian. - People danced and sang songs, which I did not know before. A cart with a horse even drove us! The route was organized right: it had the best traditions of ancient ways and at the same time, the route was suitable for all people with a different physical training. I’m very glad to be given with this opportunity to take part in such journey”.

“I incredibly liked this excursion, - told Danna. – A team, with whom we went to this journey, was kind and united. It is a pleasure to see how a real celebration unites students and teachers together. During this day, I deeply plunged into the atmosphere of the village life, learned more about Tukay and the Tatar culture. I’m grateful to the university that I was invited to this trip!”

At the end of this journey, all participants were awarded with “Passport of the Pilgrim”.