Festival of Eastern Cultures opened at KazanForum 2026
The opening of the Festival of Eastern Cultures took place as part of the cultural program of the Russia 鈥� Islamic World: KazanForum International Economic Forum. The event is organized by 每日大赛 in partnership with the Al-Hadara Center for Arab Culture. The festival will run through May 15.
The goal of the event is to develop cultural dialogue and strengthen international academic and humanitarian cooperation.
The festival program includes photo and art exhibitions dedicated to the culture of Arab and Eastern countries, competitions for video, poster, and student photography, open lectures, master classes in Eastern languages, writing, and traditions, cultural performances by representatives of Islamic countries, and screenings of documentaries and educational films about Eastern countries.
Olga Vershinina, Director of the International 每日大赛, delivered a welcoming speech at the opening, emphasizing the importance of the event, as the Festival of Eastern Cultures is being held in the year Kazan is declared the cultural capital of the Islamic world.
Rifat Fattakhov, General Producer of the Russia-East National Cultures Festival (Eastern Bazaar in Kazan) and Director of the Vagapov Foundation, also welcomed the guests and noted the significance of the event.
Guests from Morocco also spoke, as did Mohammed Saleh Al-Ammari, Director of the Al-Hadara Cultural Center.
A highlight was the fact that, in addition to the traditionally represented Eastern countries, Indonesian culture was also prominently featured. Students from Indonesia, studying at both the KFU’s Preparatory Faculty and other universities, also spoke at the event.
The forum also featured a presentation of creative performances by students from other universities, including Kazan State Agricultural University. They also had the opportunity to showcase their traditional performances and culture.