“I wanted to make the first trip beyond Moscow to Tatarstan”

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of French Republic to the Russian Federation Jean de Gliniasty visited our republic on June 18-21. Mr. de Gliniasty answered journalists’ questions before the trip.

Mr. de Gliniasty, could you tell us please about the purposes of your visit to Kazan.

J.G.: I wanted to make my first trip beyond Moscow to Tatarstan, besides the two cities where two of our general consulates are situated – Yekaterinburg and Saint Petersburg. This visit at the invitation of the Republic of Tatarstan President will be the first contact at the political level.

Our exchanges have been consolidated in economy, as some specific projects are on the final stage in recent months. Schneider Electric company producing electrical equipment opened a plant in Kazan in July 2008. On June 20, I participate in the opening ceremony of Ibis Hotel, which is situated near the Kremlin in Kazan downtown. Air Liquide group – the leader in industrial gas production considers Tatarstan to be a strategic region for its development and plans to realize large projects in the special economic zone ‘Alabuga’.

The situation in the field of culture is the same. After Alliance Francaise centre opened in 2006, our presence in Kazan became permanent. The Louvre and Paris Museum of Applied Arts made contribution to the exhibition “From China to Europe. The Islamic World Arts” by providing several valuable exhibits.

Besides, there are promising economic and cultural prospects due to the forthcoming Universiade-2013. Tatarstan is an important region for us.

How is preparation for the Year of France in Russia and the Year of Russia in France in 2010 going? Do you plan to arrange any events in Kazan as a part of the Year of France in Russia?

J.G.: We plan to hold the last fourth session of the preparation committee for organization of the Year of France in Russia and Russia in France in 2010 in July in Moscow.

We plan to organize nearly 400 events in both countries. For instance, celebration of the Day of Russia on June 12, 2010 at Grand Palais in Paris, exhibition of Picasso works at Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow and the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, exhibition dedicated to the church art from Kievan Rus to Peter I epoch.

What concerns Tatarstan, I’d like to point out the circus project, which envisages exchange between Kazan Circus School and the French National Centre of Circus Art. Other events include the Week of French Cinema in Kazan and participation of French film-makers in the Muslim film festival.

By Diana Ibragimova (“Kazanskiye Vedomosti” newspaper)

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