Miklay Kazakov (1918-1989), Mari poet, National Poet of the Republic of Mari El (1960), USSR State Prize laureate (1951):
Kazan is not only a centre of the Tatar culture, but it is also a cradle of the Mari culture. It is the place where our literature founder Sergei Chavain and the first Mari composer Ivan Valandai began their life journey. The first books in our native language were published in Kazan, that’s why Kazan was so close to our heart. From here we heard poems and songs of our Tatar friends and, of course, brilliant and courageous words of Gabdulla Tukay. He called us for unity and joint struggle for everything new. Nowadays the Mari and other neighbours of Tatarstan consider Tukay as their native poet. That’s why it can be certainly claimed that Tukay have become a really international poet. Many Tukay’s works have been translated into the Mari language. Our poets showed their abilities and talent, giving their native nation access to the rich culture of the brotherly Tatar nation. Mere “Shurale” has two variants now. Today Tukay has become much closer to us.