Today, September 9, Kazan celebrated the 186th anniversary of Leo Tolstoy, outstanding Russian writer, the Kazan University alumnus.

Perceptive readers of Tolstoy's works - school pupils, students and other Kazan dwellers - gathered today in Leo Tolstoy Garden Square. Tatarstan National Museum and Leo Tolstoy Museum representatives spoke on the life of famous writer and his days in Kazan. Everyone could take the floor and share his/her thoughts and feelings about what role Leo Tolstoy and his masterpieces played in his/her life.

Leo Tolstoy arrived in Kazan in 1841. In 1844 he entered the department of oriental languages of the Kazan University faculty of philosophy. In 1845 the writer exchanged into the faculty of law, but in 1847 he left Kazan. The years Tolstoy spent in Kazan played a significant role in his creative career. It was the time of his first steps in writing; he started keeping a diary, reconsidered life values.

Leo Tolstoy visited Kazan several times after that and always followed the life of the city that is still keeping memory of the preeminent author.

All participants of the anniversary celebration could take an excursion around Tolstoy's places to the memorial building of the museum in Yapeev Street where Tolstoy lived in 1841-1845. The building is under reconstruction now, but very soon, it will welcome the passionate admirers of the writer's magnificent talent.