(Source: http://varandej.livejournal.com/293814.html)

The authorities of Tatarstan want to attract tourists to the ancient city of Bolgar and the island city Sviyazhsk with the help of event tourism, as the Department of Public Relations of the Centre of Tourism Development of the Republic of Tatarstan reports.

These plans were announced at the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Republican Foundation for Revival of Historical Monuments and Culture of RT. Over the past few years Bolgar and Sviyazhsk showed the largest increase in the tourist flow among the places of attractions of the republic.

Organized tourist flow to Bolgar has increased almost 4 times since 2010 and reached 192,000 visitors, and in Sviyazhsk it has grown 11 times, the island city was visited by 108,000 people. “We see a great potential for tourism in Bolgar and Sviyazhsk in the development of event tourism. Such events as Sled Dog Race “Volga Quest” and “Sviyazhsk Shrovetide” have been held here since the beginning of the year.

The rally “Kazan – Bolgar” will be held for the first time this year, in addition, it is planned to organize a festival of historical reconstruction in the ancient city of Bolgar. “We are sure that all these events will become branded” - the Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan Sergei Ivanov said. According to Ivanov, tourist centres should become as interactive as possible. It is necessary to create permanent interactive sites in Sviyazhsk and Bolgar, which would immerse visitors in the historical epoch of these places while playing. These sites should hold weekly theatrical performances during the active tourist season. Bolgar and Sviyazhsk should become the grounds for celebration of major religious and national holidays of the Republic, such as Christmas, Epiphany, Christmastide, Sabantuy, Nowruz and Kurban Bayram, conduct weddings and baptisms on the island Sviyazhsk and nikahs in the ancient Bolgar.

“The list of events for Bolgar and Sviyazhsk can be extended with fresh ideas from the public. In this regard, we propose to hold a competition for the best ideas-projects for events in the ancient city of Bolgar and the island city of Sviyazhsk” - Sergei Ivanov concluded.