Fairy tales guide

«#Fairytalesguide gives the opportunity to learn more about the town, history, art and yourself. It is the way from local to global and back through the subjective perception and contact with traces of the past in the present. It is also a meeting with creative and professional minds, who have found their calling and are making the world a better place.

In the tour «Finding Golden Apples» you will understand that the most valuable things surround you. All you need to do is just stop, take a closer look and find it.»

«On the one hand, #fairytalesguide is a glimpse of the town's history, its past and present. On the other hand, it is all about communication with people, including artists from all over the globe. I like to be in this creative epicenter of the city and get inspired by the artworks there. That's how I came up with a cycling tour "Inspiration from the Town" and a walking tour called "The Path of the Hero".»

«#Fairytalesguide is a step towards something new and my sincere desire to introduce the public art project «Tales of the Golden Apples» to the tourists and residents of Almetyevsk. Its creators wanted to underline the necessity to always remember, honor and contemplate the cultural values of our history. The main objective of the project was in giving this idea a new lease of life. As a result, talented creative people from all over the world turned this idea into murals that preserve the memory of the past for us and our descendants. My excursion is called «Stories from the Walls». For me personally, it is a great opportunity to express myself, to unite people of different nations, races, religions. We should remind ourselves how important it is to live in peace and harmony, respect and preserve the culture, traditions, folklore, customs of our ancestors.»

«I was born in and live in Almetyevsk, a city I love with all my heart. No matter how much I travel, I always return here with joy: its familiar streets reveal something new every time. I am a guide for the public art programme The Tales of the Golden Apples. I lead walking and cycling tours, sharing the stories behind murals and art objects. For me, this is not just a job, but a genuine desire to inspire. Art resonates within each of us without words. Join me, and I will show you Almetyevsk from a new perspective.»

«On the walking tour From Oil to Art, you will rediscover Almetyevsk — not only as the oil capital, but also as a city where art transforms space and people. Together, we will see how familiar streets, art objects, and urban stories help spark inspiration, offer hope, create new meanings, and make the city even more caring and attentive to its residents.»

«I have a deep love for Tatar traditions and culture. The Tales of the Golden Apples project opened the door for me not only to the world of public art, but also encouraged me to study my own cultural heritage more closely. The idea for the tour The Tatar House emerged during my exploration of Almetyevsk’s art objects, which I want to share not only with local residents but also with audiences beyond the city. In every mural, one can trace a strong connection between tradition and contemporary practice. For this reason, I have incorporated elements of traditional applied arts into my walks, including stories about floral and plant ornamentation, as well as the textile history of the Tatar home. My tour immerses participants not only in contemporary public art, but also in the world of past traditions.

The Tatar House is more than just a tour: it also includes an open-air tambour stitch workshop, a Tatar tea ceremony, and participants’ personal stories about childhood memories.»

«Almetyevsk is my hometown and a city I deeply love. I enjoy introducing visitors to its history and helping residents rediscover it from a new perspective. During my walking tour of the First Settlement district, I talk about the beginnings of the city’s construction and its first residential buildings, and I guide participants through large murals as well as small mosaic “hidden gems.” I hope my guests will see the beauty of Almetyevsk and take with them a piece of my love for this city.»

«I was born and raised in Almetyevsk, and over time I have witnessed how it has become more welcoming, more beautiful, and more attentive to people. I enjoy exploring the city through different artistic mediums: photography, music, and public art. An important role in this process has been played by the Open Workshops (a cultural space in Almetyevsk), where I regularly take part in creative labs and continuously rediscover both the city and my own way of seeing it. This is also shaped by an ongoing dialogue with the local creative community and by observing Almetyevsk from multiple perspectives.

For this reason, the format of mediation walks feels especially close to me. These tours allow for sharing memories, reflecting, noticing unexpected parallels between people, and finding something personal even within familiar spaces.

On the mediation tour Where Care Lives, we look together at the public art objects of the Tales of the Golden Apples programme and explore how care can take shape—in art, in the city, and in everyday life. Through murals, sculptures, and textile panels, we discuss their authors and the stories behind their creation, while also turning to our own memories and associations.

Soundtrack for My City is an attempt to listen to Almetyevsk in a new way. During the walk, we bring together music and public art, trying to sense the rhythm of the city and imagine how visual forms might sound. This mediation is about attention to atmosphere, surrounding details, and the emotions that emerge at the intersection of sound, space, and personal perception.»

«I have a special relationship with Almetyevsk. I was born here, spent my entire childhood here, and after finishing school I began to travel frequently to different cities, countries, new experiences, and new lives. But I always return. And perhaps it is only by leaving that you begin to truly feel how much a place matters — the place where your loved ones are waiting, where familiar streets lead you, and where the city grows together with you.

Each time I come back, Almetyevsk feels slightly different: somewhere a new space appears, somewhere a mural on a wall, a tree that has grown taller, or a favorite place that has remained unchanged. I enjoy noticing these small details, because it is precisely from them that the feeling of home is formed.

The tour The Imprint of the City is a cozy walk that explores memory, detail, and the things we usually overlook in everyday life. We will talk about the history of Almetyevsk, about the people who shaped it, and about how the past and present are intertwined here.

We will also try to literally preserve a piece of this walk: by collecting interesting textures and patterns, we will create a small magnet with real “imprints of the city”, a tiny reminder of a place one always wants to return to.»

«I’m a student and designer passionate about my city and its aesthetics. My inspiration lies in drawing and capturing the beauty of urban landscapes, discovering unusual perspectives and hidden details.

During my tour "The Chronology of Colors in Nizhnekamsk", I’ll share a unique view of the city: I’ll talk about the cultural heritage that inspires me, show places connected to the history and visual identity of Nizhnekamsk, and guide you along a route where familiar streets reveal new shades and meanings.»

«I work as a specialist in the Labor Organization and Personnel Motivation Department at Taneco PJSC. Outside of work, I enjoy crossfit, cycling around the city, running, and traveling. I was born in Nizhnekamsk and have lived here for 32 years. I remember much of the city’s history. At first, I shared these stories with my children, and now I share them with everyone who wants to know the city better.

During my tour "The Triad of Nizhnekamsk: City, Industry, and Nature", we’ll explore how urban planning, powerful industry, and Nizhnekamsk’s green spaces create a unique harmony. The route includes panoramic viewpoints, new public art objects, cozy natural stops, and stories about the city’s development. This is my author-led tour as a beginner guide — a way to show Nizhnekamsk through the eyes of a local.»

«I’m a researcher by nature, and education has always been my priority. For many years, I worked in the education system, and now I want to go beyond the classroom to share knowledge in a more engaging format. I want to show residents what they’ve seen many times before, but from a new angle, and to introduce visitors to the Nizhnekamsk that became the very Garden City its first builders once dreamed of.

During my tour "Rest and Read", we’ll talk about how industrial giants not only work but also help the city develop. G. Tukay Park is one of the best examples: we’ll walk along its alleys, admire nature, and learn how the park brings to life the fairy-tale heroes of Tatar literature. I’ll show places where the national spirit is especially vivid, where modernity and tradition coexist.»

«I love Nizhnekamsk with all my heart. I was born, studied, and built my life here — my friends and colleagues all live here too. My profession is connected with ensuring the safety of people and the environment at one of Tatneft’s enterprises, and my passion is showing guests the real, vibrant, and surprisingly green Nizhnekamsk — the way I see it.

With years of experience as a leading specialist in industrial safety and ecology at Tatneft, I understand the city’s industrial core and modern face. My tours offer an insider’s perspective: I show not only beautiful streets but also how one of Tatarstan’s main industrial centers lives and develops while staying green and comfortable. Together, we’ll see how the city lives in harmony with nature and what efforts are being made to preserve the environment.»