Poet Garifjan Mukhammetshin marks 85th birthday with evening in Baltach

A jubilee evening marking the 85th birthday of poet and publicist Garifjan Mukhammetshin was held at the Baltach Culture Center in Tatarstan, Russia. Titled "Feeling the Sorrow of the Native Land," the event was reported by the press service of the Tatarstan Writers' Union.

Mukhammetshin is known as a poet, publicist and author of popular songs who also writes robaiyats. He is a member of the Tatarstan Writers' Union, a laureate of the S. Sulaymanova Literary Prize and the author of the "Baltach Encyclopedia."

Close friends and fellow writers spoke and offered their congratulations. They included Gazinur Morat, People's Poet of Tatarstan and laureate of the Gabdulla Tukay State Prize; Foat Galimullin, doctor of philology, KFU professor and critic; and prose writer and literary scholar Räcäp Bädretdin. Rail Zaydulla, chairman of the Writers' Union and a People's Deputy, presented Mukhammetshin with the "For Achievements in Literature" medal on his behalf. The evening continued with performances of the author's songs.