A photo of the smell

This weekend you have an opportunity to become the evidence of the unique event. So-called “FOTOCROSS” will take place in Kazan. What’s the score of this competition?

The teams of volunteers-photographers should go after different tasks: take pictures of “something”, for example, the pictures of a thing, a process, situation, some feeling or association,... How we can photograph “the aroma of love”, “the black claws” (???), “the living whale” (and it is in the street of Kazan??), “reflection in creation” and others? The teams may use any kind of transport to move across the city being competing. The participants that cut the mustard will be rewarded with good prizes.

St.Valentine’s day celebration in Kazan

      St. Valentine’s day 2007 has been a really bright event in the life of Kazan. It was nice to see that citizens of Kazan didn’t forget about this holiday and congratulated each other on it with some special gifts, flowers and cards. Cafes of Kazan were full people this day, even it was quite difficult to find a vacant table there.
      Kazan city administration and Centre on work with students’ clubs held all-city event «I Love…». From the 2nd till the 14th of February people had a chance to make a declaration of love in a form of dance or song. The most prominent and unique declarations were shown on the concert at Basket-Hall right on St. Valentine’s day. Besides these declarations there was a performance of popular musical bands «Fabrika» and «The Brothers Grimm» who congratulated the audience on St. Valentine’s day and sparked a real furor.
      The exhibition centre «Hermitage-Kazan» also prepared surprises for those who are in love. The special action «Break the monotony for the name of love!» was held within the walls of the museum, where all visitors were given unusual Valentine’s Day cards from the Hermitage. Around 3 p.m. there was the theatrical performance of the band «Magic lamp». The most interesting part of the day began at 6 p.m. when all guests had a chance to taste a wine with the symbolic name «Love drink» while looking at the exhibition «The half of the Kingdom for horse». Only at this day guests of the event had a wonderful opportunity to take a video and a photo against the background of the horsecloth dated 1855 for free.

Kazan Zoo in photos

A presentation of the fancy foto-exibition took place at the Kazan National Cultural Centre yesterday. The exhibition was dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the Kazan Zoo (it was founded in 1806 by the Professor Karl Fuchs). Our zoo always takes a shine to its guests both children and adults. At present time 145 species of animals live there, 27 species of that are put down to the Red Book.

By the way here you can see the living symbol of Tatarstan – the snow leopard called Silva. Silva is 2.5 year’s female and now the managers are searching for a “fiancé” to her. At the exhibition it was declared for transforming our zoo to some kind of European cultural centre. There is something in it!

Collection of the Zoo:

Mammals - 45 spp., 134 specimens;
Birds - 52 spp., 206 specimens;
Reptiles - 13 spp., 38 specimens;
Amphibians - 3 spp., 17 specimens;
Fishes - 36 spp., 279 specimens;
Invertebrates - 2 spp., 8 specimens.
Total: 151 spp., 682 specimens.
Plants - 700 spp., 1800 specimens

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Kazan Zoo Address:
420059 Tatarstan, Kazan, st. Khadi-Taktash, 112.
Tel.: (8432) 37-50-32, 37-27-04
Fax: (8432) 37-50-32
(http://www.zoo.ru)

Upcoming Day Of Love

      The 14th of February is a special holiday. It is known as St.Valentine’s day – the day of those who are in love. This is one of a few «oversea holidays» that became popular in Russia, and from year to year it is becoming more and more mass in its character. St.Valentine’s day can be considered as a mutual holiday – both for men and women. This is a holiday for everybody, no matter how old are you, you can celebrate it all your life, because love has no limits!
      Every year this holiday is celebrated in Kazan. People give each other presents and Valentine’s Day cards. There are usually special programs in Kazan’s night clubs and cafes and Civil Registry Offices are ready to welcome citizens who wish to make a family. Sometimes some actions and conferences are held this day. For example, last year the action «Let’s protect love!» was held within the frame of the project «Globus» (global cooperation of efforts against AIDS). This action was educational in its character – young people were given information sheets, means of contraception, take part in different contests and quizzes.
      So, let us wait what would happen interesting in Kazan at St. Valentine’s Day 2007…