Film on Tatar primer «Älifba» to air on Salei Vagizov's birthday

A documentary-drama film about the legendary Tatar primer «Älifba» will premiere on 24 October at 19:00 on the TNV channel. The film was prepared by a commission under the head of Tatarstan. It will air on the birthday of one of the textbook's authors, teacher Salei Vagizov.

The film tells the story of the primer, first published in 1965, and the fates of its authors, teachers Salei Vagizov and his wife Ramziya Valitova, who worked on the textbook for five years using Tatar national education traditions. Vagizov fought in the Great Patriotic War, passed through concentration camps and GULAG camps where he spent about ten years, and then faced social rejection. He continued his teaching career, living in Arsk district and working at a pedagogical college.

Through the creators' stories, the film also explores the fate of the Tatar people and their native language. For nearly 60 years the primer has helped Tatars around the world learn their language. Its total circulation exceeded one million copies, and it was reprinted 42 times.