Kazan and Isfahan: New Horizons of Sister City Relations

A meeting with representatives of the city of Isfahan, Iran, was held at the Kazan City Hall

On December 16, 2025, an important meeting was held at the Kazan City Hall, marking a new stage in the development of relations between the two sister cities — Kazan and Isfahan. The negotiations were attended by representatives of both cities' administrations and the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kazan.

The meeting was opened by Arseny Karyakin, Head of the International Relations Department. He reminded everyone that the year 2025 became a significant milestone in developing ties with Iran — cooperation agreements were signed both with Isfahan and the country's capital, Tehran. This creates a solid legal foundation for implementing large-scale joint projects.

The discussion also involved heads of the Committee of Economic Development, the Committee of the Consumer Market, the Committee for Tourism Development of Kazan and the Committee of Land and Property Relations of the Executive Committee of Kazan. This allowed for a substantive review of the organizational, legal, and infrastructural aspects of the future project. The participation of the Consul of the Republic of Iran, Mansour Hosseini, emphasized the diplomatic support for the initiative at the state level.

The key topic of the negotiations was the idea proposed by the Isfahan side to create a permanent exhibition-store of Iranian products in Kazan. As noted by the Advisor to the Mayor of Isfahan, Mohammadali Karvan, Kazan holds a special place among Isfahan's 20 sister cities and is a priority partner.

"Our project is a platform for showcasing goods that reflect the culture, traditions, and history of Isfahan, so that the people of Kazan can see them with their own eyes," emphasized Mr. Karvan. "Isfahan has about 200 fields of applied arts, and many famous Iranian artists are from our city."

The guests expressed readiness for a full-fledged cultural and economic exchange. It was announced that in Isfahan, options for venues, including those located in historical sites, are already being considered for creating a similar project for Kazan. This indicates a strategic approach and a long-term vision for cooperation.

"In Isfahan, people know that Kazan is our sister city; television, social networks, and other public communication channels have helped us in this, so people will be waiting for goods from Kazan," added the Mayor's Advisor.

The meeting was constructive and dynamic. The parties agreed to work out the details and move to the stage of practical implementation of the project, which will become not just a retail outlet, but a living bridge between two cultures, a new center of attraction for Kazan residents and city guests interested in the rich heritage of Iran.

This step strengthens not only economic but also humanitarian ties between Tatarstan and Iran, bringing to life the true spirit of sister city relations — a spirit of trust, mutual interest, and joint creation.

Tags: Iran Isfahan

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