KAZAN, Russia -- Iran’s cultural program in Russia moved to Kazan on Wednesday, bringing Iranian music, cinema, visual arts and traditional crafts to the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan as part of the Festival of Iranian Culture in Russia.
Kazan is hosting the Iranian cultural program from September 30 to October 1. The Russian state concert organization Rosconcert has included the Festival of Iranian Culture in Russia among its September programs in St. Petersburg, Moscow and Kazan.
A major feature of Wednesday’s program was a concert by a 60-member Iranian musical ensemble at the Musa Jalil Tatar State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in Kazan. Iranian officials had previously announced the performance as one of the main events marking the festival’s arrival in Kazan. The theatre is one of the city’s leading performing-arts institutions.
The Kazan program also highlights Iran’s visual and traditional arts. Iranian artists are presenting their works at the Kazan Kremlin, accompanied by specialist workshops. The program features artists working in traditional Iranian crafts and visual arts, expanding the cultural exchange beyond music and cinema.
Iranian cinema was another major component of Wednesday’s events. The Iranian film festival opened in Kazan at Mir Cinema, with Muhammad: The Messenger of God, the historical drama directed by Majid Majidi, as its opening screening. The film depicts the early life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him). The cinema program is being organized by Roskino, with the support of Russia’s Ministry of Culture, as part of the wider Festival of Iranian Culture in Russia.
The Iranian cultural program in Kazan also includes an exhibition of Iranian art and traditional crafts. The exhibition features Persian carpets, minakari enamelwork, firuzeh-kubi turquoise inlay, khatamkari marquetry, metalwork, Persian calligraphy, tazhib illumination, miniature painting, ceramics and sculpture.
Further craft workshops are scheduled in Kazan from October 1 to 4 at the Kazan TSUM – Centre for Unique Mastery, where Iranian masters will demonstrate Persian calligraphy, Iranian painting and traditional Persian miniature techniques. 
According to the Tatarstan cultural resource center, the workshops will also introduce visitors