Names of many outstanding people, whose works are of great importance for the city and country are connected with Kazan. These are famous Russian people who worked in the field of culture, arts, politics, science and sports.

Bulat Galleyev
Arts philosophy specialist. He worked out “the periodical system of arts”, which enables to predict the development of this system in the future. The founder and the supervisor of the “Prometey” experimental aesthetics research institute. The Head of the scientific council for arts and aesthetics theory of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, the member of the editorial board of “Kazan” (Tatarstan) and “Leonardo” (USA) magazines. Doctor of Philosophy (1987), professor (1990), corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan (1995), acting member of the Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation (1995).

Roald Sagdeyev, physicist
One of the founders of the modern plasma physics, research supervisor of the “Vega” international project. Corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR for the general physics and applied physics department (1964), academician of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR for the general physics and astronomy department (1968). Since 1989 has been working in the University of Maryland (USA), at the same time he is the head scientist of the Space research Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation.
Member of Max Plank Society (Academy of Sciences of FRG), foreign member of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA.
One of the leaders of the international movement of scientists for peace. Became the head of the Committee of the Soviet scientists for struggling for peace against nuclear danger.

Kamil Valiev, physicist
One of the founders of the microelectronics in Russia. Acting Head of the department in Moscow Institute for Applied Physics and the department for the quantum informatics in Moscow State University, member of the presidium of the Academy of Science of the Republic of Tatarstan, member of the Academy of Sciences of the third world, Asian-Pacific academy of materials, chief editor of the “Microelectronika” magazine.

Vassily Aksenov, writer
Aksenov is a whole epoch of the Soviet literature, he is one of its outstanding representatives. His works such as “Kollegi (Colleagues)”, “Apelsini iz Marokko (Oranges from Morocco)” became the symbols of the “ottepel’ period.
He was one of the authors of the famous samizdat literary almanac “Metropol” (1960-1970). His recent works are – “Kesarevo Svechenie (Cesarean glow)”, “Moskva-kva-kva”, “Redkie Zemli (Rare lands)”. In 2004 he was awarded “Booker – Open Russia” Prize for the novel “Volteryanci i Volterianki (Voltairian Men and Women)”. “Aksenov-fest” – annual musical-literature festival has been held in Kazan since 2007.
Ravil Bukharaev, writer, poet, translator, historian. Producer on the BBC Russian department. Creates his works in Russian, Tatar, English and Hungarian languages. Being the author of numerous poetry and prose, he also published his plays in verse for the puppet show; books on history, Tatar poetry anthology translated into the English language etc. He is a member of PEN-clubs of Hungary and USA, World Arts and Culture Academy (California - Taiwan), World Poets Academy (Madras), European Society for Culture (Venice).

Rustem Kutuy, writer
His first book with stories in Russian language “Malchishki (Boys)” was published in Tatar publishing house in 1961and since then more than 30 books were published in Kazan, Moscow and other cities. His stories were translated to German, Polish, French, Spanish, English languages and also many languages of our country.

Vladimir Korchagin, science-fiction writer
Since 1951 has worked in the field of geology. In 1962 his first novel “Tayna reki zlih duhov (The secret of the evil spirit river)”, which immediately became the best-seller in the USSR. Famous science-fiction writers Ivan Efremov, Aleksandr Kazantsev and others gave high appreciation to the works of Vladimir Korchagin.

Tufan Minnullin, writer, playwright
In 1974 he was awarded Musa Jalil republican prize, in 1979 Gabdullah Tukay republican prize and K.Stanislavsky Prize, Honoured Art Worker of the Republic of Tatarstan and Russian Federation. Since 1995 he is a deputy of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan. Since 1997 – the Chairman of the Tatar branch of PEN-Club.

Rustam Abyazov, conductor, violinist, composer
Head and chief conductor of «La Primavera» Kazan state chamber orchestra. He is a participant of numerous international festivals.

Sofya Gubaydullina, composer
She is one of the most outstanding world classic music composers of the second half of the XX century. Saving her Russian citizenship, she moved to the permanent residence to Germany in 1992 and settled down in the suburbs of Hamburg (Appen). Laureate of numerous awards. She was awarded the order “For the merits in science and arts ” (Germany), Goethe medal for the special merits in international exchange and international relations, “Polar” prize of Swedish Royal Music Academy.

Foat Mansurov, musician
Russian maestro, conductor of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia and State Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan. Laureate of international all-Russian competitions, academician of the international Academy of Sciences, honorary member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Rubin Abdullin, musician
Since 1992 he is the chancellor of Kazan state conservatoire named after N.Zhiganov. Being pianist and organist, he actively works in the best concert halls of the world. He is the first musician, who performed the Tatar composers’ music in the organ. He is the author of the original arrangements for the organ of the musical compositions of M.Musorgsky, N.Zhiganov, F.Akhmetov.

Chulpan Khamatova, actress
For the roles in the performances “Anna Frank’s Diary (Dnevnik Anni Frank )”, “Three fellows (Tri Tovarischa)” and “Motherfathersondog (Mamapapasynsobaka)” in 2004 she was awarded the State Award of the Russian Federation. She is the laureate of the “Kumir”, “Tefi” and “Zolotoy Orel” awards. The member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.

Kharis Yakupov, artist
Created epic artistic annals of the Republic of Tatarstan in XX century. Some of his works are kept in the State Tretyakov Gallery and in the Museum of the Orient cultures of Russia. His works were awarded the orders and medals.

Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, hockey-player, Honored Master of Sports of the USSR. Since 1976 was a member of the USSR team, in 1978 participated in the World championship for the first time. For the time of his play for the USSR team he became the Olympic Champion and 6 times World Champion. He was the coach of the Russian team, Moscow hockey-club “Dinamo” and NHL teams. Since autumn 2004 he has been training the “Ak Bars’ hockey-team (Kazan). He is awarded the international friendship order and two “Honor signs” orders.

Alissa Gallyamova, chess-player, international Grand Master.
Participated in three world chess Olympic games as a member of the USSR team (1990, Yugoslavia, 1-2 place), Ukraine team (1992, the Philippines, 2 place), Russia team (1996, Armenia, 3 place).
In 1997 she became Russia champion and a winner of the tournament for the claimants for the world crown, owner of the chess Oscar, awarded to the best chess-players of the year by the International Chess Association.

Nailya Gilyazova, fencer, USSR champion, World champion, Olympic champion.
She became the USSR champion 12 times, won the Euro Cup 8 times and became world champion as a member of the USSR team 7 times. In 1982 she became world champion in the individual event. She is the participant of two Olympic games – in 1976 1 place in Montreal and in 1980 2 place in Moscow in the team event. Honored Master of Sports (1976).

Ayrat Khamatov, boxer, President of the Box Federation of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Winner of the RSFSR nations’ Sports competition (1986), prize winner of the USSR nations Sports competition (1987), the USSR champion (1991), the USSR championships prize-winner (1986, 1989, 1992), World Champion (1989), Good will games prize-winner (1990), winner of the USSR – USA matches (1989, 1990, 1991), European Championship finalist (1991), the USSR Cup owner (1988), winner of the international tournaments in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Thailand, the Philippines. Honored Master of Sports (1989).

Mintimer Shaimiev, President
The first and present President of the Republic of Tatarstan (was elected in 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2005), Co-chairman of the Higher Council of the "United Russia" party. Was the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In the middle 90-s he was one of the Russian leaders, heading the struggle of the national republics for the independence form the federal center. M. Shaimiev was awarded numerous orders and medals.

Ilsur Metshin, mayor
Acting Mayor of Kazan. Since 1998 he has been the head of Nizhnekamsk city administration, since 2005 he is the head of the Kazan city Municipality. Ilsur Metshin was awarded the “Russian National Olympus” Prize in the “Best Mayor of the City” nominee.

Kamil Iskhakov, Deputy Minister of the Regional Development of the Russian Federation. In 2005-2007 he was the Presidential Envoy to the Far East District. Between 1991 and 2005 Head of the Kazan City Administration. Vice-President of the World Organization of the United Cities and Local Governments, Vice-President of the Organization of World Heritage Cities, corresponding member of the International Informatization Academy. K. Iskhakov was awarded numerous orders and medals.


Oleg Morozov, deputy
In 1987 – 1989 Deputy of the Higher Council of the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, since 1994 till present time the Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation. Member of the State Duma Committee for Federation affairs and regional policy. In the second convocation – Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Deputy head of the “Russian Regions” deputy group. In 1983-1984 he studied in the University of Bonn (FRG) and in the political science institute.

Vassily Likhachev, major specialist in the field of the international and state law.
Representative of the Russian Federation in the European communities. Vice-President of the Republic of Tatarstan (1991-1995), Head of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan (1995-1996). Doctor of Law, professor, corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, academician of the Academy for the Humanity sciences, academician of the International Informatization Academy.

Aleksandr Salagayev, director of the Analytic research and development center, professor of Kazan State Technological University, member of the Public Chamber of the Republic of Tatarstan, head of the Tatarstan regional branch of the “Patriots of Russia” political party.

Vladimir Medvedev, trade representative of the Republic of Tatarstan in Austria. Candidate of Philology, associate professor. Since 1995 - trade representative of the Republic of Tatarstan in Austria.

Gulnara Sergeyeva, deputy.
Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation. Honored lawyer of the Republic of Tatarstan. Head of the “Sergeyeva and partners” Bar. Since 2004 – the director general of the Agency for the enterprise development of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Gusman Khazrat Iskhakov, mufti of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Started his work in the field of Muslim religion in 1982 after the graduating from the higher Muslim medrese “Mir Arab”, beginning from the position of the senior secretary of the Muslim Religious Board of the USSR European part and Siberia. Since 1998 – mufti, Chairman of the Muslim Religious Board of the Republic of Tatarstan. Since July,1998 – chancellor of the Russian Islamic University.

His Eminence Anastasy, Archbishop of Kazan and Tatarstan, head of Kazan Eparchy. In 1976 he was made a monk, named Anastasy, elected to the hegumen, appointed the superior of Nikolsky cathedral in Kazan and the secretary of Kazan Eparchy directorate. For the zealous service of the Church of Christ he was awarded the order of the saint equal of the apostles prince Vladimir of the 3d degree. In1988 was elected to Kazan and Mari bishop in 1996 – to archbishop.