Four tons of chack chack, Zabivaka and the Bowl - FIFA FAN FEST kicks off in Kazan
The FIFA Fan Fest kicks off today in Kazan, on 14 June. The big display installed on the territory of the Fan Fest broad-casted live the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup and the first match of the tournament – Russia vs Saudi Arabia.
The FIFA Fan Fest™ was declared open by President of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov. "Today we gathered together at the Fan Fest on the Day 1 of the World Cup. It is of course a great honour to host this event here in the capital of Tatarstan as well," said the President. "The first match will be hosted today in Moscow, and in 2 days a beautiful game will take place here, in Kazan. And this venue is set to welcome all football fans and our guests."
The football players Gökdeniz Karadeniz and Sergey Ryzhikov welcomed the guests together with the President. "Welcome to Kazan, to the big football!" congratulated Gökdeniz Karadeniz all the fans. Sergey Ryzhikov underlined that Kazan and Russia were looking forward to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™: "Congratulations! At last this pageant of football we have been all waiting for has arrived. Cheer for your favorite teams, support them! We will support the Russian national team. When we are together, we are unstoppable! Come on, Russia!"
The FIFA Fan Fest™ was open just before the official ceremony. A special show "Welcome to Kazan! Dobro pozhalovat v Rossiyu!" was staged to entertain the spectators and tell them about the traditions of Kazan, Tatarstan, and Russia. The best artistic groups of Kazan and Tatarstan went on stage: State Song and Dance Ensemble, State Chamber Choir of Tatarstan, Dance Ensemble "Kazan", "Drum Time" Drums Show, Action Man Crew break-dance team, Charm Theatre Show, Dance Theatre "Mgnovenie", Dance Theatre "Doroga iz Goroda" (The Road from the City), "Crystall" Show Ballet, and "Versia" Trio. Such vocalists as Alina Sharipzhanova, Roman Plekhanov, Radik Salimov, MC ZALI, Arthur Khairullin, Maxim Prokhorov, Dilyara Vagapova and "Murakami" Music Band performed for the audience.
The broadcasting of the World Cup opening ceremony started at 17:30, and the match between Russia and Saudi Arabia kicked off at 18:00 at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Foreign fans came to the FIFA Fan Fest as well to support the Russian team alongside the Russian enthusiasts. Official Stores with licensed FIFA World Cup™ products, FIFA Sponsors and Partners booth are located on the territory of the FIFA Fan Fest™. One can also buy national souvenirs there.
The main restaurant of the venue will provide catering services. The menu of the restaurant is developed to cater to preferences of different age groups and religions and includes international and national dishes of peoples of the Republic of Tatarstan. The menu also features halal and vegetarian dishes. Visitors can have not only typical football fast food such as sandwiches, hot dogs, french fries, pizza, chips and other snacks but also enjoy hot filling meals for lunch or dinner. National Tatar food such as çäkçäk, öçpoçmaqs, gubadia and baursak will also be available for everyone to try.
Today the fans had a chance to taste one of the treasures of the Tatar national cuisine as a huge football ball shaped chack chak was made specially for the opening of the Fan Fest. With its weight of 4,026 kg it was recognized as the biggest chack chack in the world.
The FIFA Fan Fest™ will be open all days except 29 June, 5, 8, 9, 12 and 13 July. All World Cup matches will be broadcasted here. The admission is free.