The Republic of Tatarstan has a rich historical and cultural heritage. The combination of at least four types of cultural influences (Turkic, Finno-Ugric, Bulgarian and Slavic-Russian), as well as two religions (Islam and Christianity) determines the uniqueness of these places, the uniqueness of art, as well as cultural and historical values.

In 1236, Bulgaria became part of the Golden Horde, the culture of which was a symbiosis of Turkic, Mongolian and Central Asian cultural traditions with their characteristic splendor of ornamentation and richness of decor, using precious metals, stones and gems. Of particular importance is the creation of items related to the decoration of a horse and the equipment of a warrior, the production of weapons and other art products.

The city of Bulgar in the 13-14 centuries was a huge urban complex for that time, from which, even in 1722 (a visit to it by Peter I), about 70 white-stone buildings were preserved. Then the tsar ordered to protect them as historical and architectural monuments by his decree. The area of the second largest city in Bulgaria, Bilyara reached 530 hectares (Kiev at that time occupied 150 hectares, Paris - 439 hectares).

As a result of the collapse of the Golden Horde, a new state emerged - the Kazan Khanate (1438) with the capital in the city of Kazan. The capital continued to develop the best traditions of architecture. On the territory of the Kazan Kremlin, many white-stone and brick structures were erected.

In the second half of the 16th century, the Kazan Khanate joined the Russian state. The immigrants who came to Kazan from Moscow, Novgorod, Pskov and other Russian cities brought some elements of Russian culture.

By the 19th century, with the advent of manufacturing, decorative art was in its heyday. Classical patterns of gold embroidery and tambour embroidery with rich ornaments, jewelry with an elegant scan, colorful women's hats - kalfaki, decorative towels with the finest patterns were created.

People with different historical past and cultural traditions live in the republic. The combination of at least three types of cultural influences (Turkic, Slavic-Russian and Finno-Ugric) determines the uniqueness of these places, the uniqueness of cultural and historical values.

The fate of many prominent cultural figures is associated with Tatarstan: singer Fyodor Chaliapin, writers Leo Tolstoy, Sergei Aksakov and Maxim Gorky, Vasily Aksenov, poets Evgeny Boratynsky, Gavriil Derzhavin, Marina Tsvetaeva and Nikita Zabolotsky, artists Ivan Shishkin and Nikolai Feshin. The classic of Tatar poetry Gabdulla Tukai, the poet and hero Musa Jalil, composers Farid Yarullin, Salikh Saydashev, Nazib Zhiganov, Sofia Gubaidulina and many others made up the glory of Tatar culture.

In the old songs and folklore dances of the girls with their plasticity and grace, shy movements, there is no hint of scope, expanse or revelry. Monotonous movements in small steps in almost the same place in the Tatar folk dance, as well as lingering sad songs, eloquently speak of the modest reclusive life of Muslim girls.
The most common instruments of Tatar musical folklore were: accordion-talianka, kurai (a flute-type instrument), kubyz (violin), surnay (oriental musical instrument).

The religions traditional for the republic are Islam and Orthodoxy. Tatars and Bashkirs (that is, about half of the republic’s population) practice Islam. Another part of the population: Russians, Chuvashs, Mari, Udmurts, Mordvinians are Orthodox Christians. Catholicism is also represented in Tatarstan, as well as Protestantism, Judaism and other faiths.
The observance of the balance of interests of the two major denominations and the equality of all religions before the law underlies interfaith consent in the republic.

Today, traditional Sabantuy is opened with a welcoming speech by one of the leaders of the district or city, and at the main Sabantui in Kazan - by the President of Tatarstan. After the grand opening of the holiday, the entertaining part begins: singers, dancers, amateur artists or professional artists perform. Performances are replaced by a series of comic contests for dexterity and strength, for example, various competitions in running: running in bags, running with water-filled buckets on the yoke, running with a spoon in the mouth with an egg laid on it. Guests compete in battle with bags full of hay being driven on slippery logs; compete in a game during which you need to blindfold smash a clay pot mounted on the ground with a stick. Tug-of-war, climbing on a high smooth post for the prize, which is fixed at the top, are also popular. As a prize, a winner can get a live rooster in a cage, boots and other goods.

On Maidan, the so-called square for the celebration, various competitions are held between singers, readers and dancers, master classes in national crafts are organized. Typically, the Maidan lasts from 10-11 a.m. to 2-3 p.m. Sweets and other treats, including national ones are sold there, andfamily tea parties with a samovar are often arranged.

Sabantuy in Tatarstan has the status of a public holiday and is held in every municipal district and settlement of the republic. Every year, hundreds of thousands of residents and guests of the republic take part in Sabantuy throughout Tatarstan as organizers, artists, athletes and just spectators.

As a rule, dignitaries take part in the celebration of Sabantui. So, at the time, Boris Yeltsin broke a pot on the first hit with a bat, Vladimir Putin managed to get a coin from the tub with cream “katyk”, and Dmitry Medvedev forged a part of the phrase “Blacksmith - People’s Happiness” on a horseshoe.

Sabantuy is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are 162 museums in the Republic (including branches) in total.

The number of theaters in the Republic of Tatarstan is 20.