Kazan designers will help to defeat Ottomanism in the main mosque in Simferopol
Tatarstan specialists have been allowed into the joint project of the Republic with Chechnya in Crimea at about 2 billion rubles
As it became known to Realnoe Vremya, the Kazan design-studio will work on the creation of exteriors and interiors built under the patronage of Tatarstan and Chechnya of the largest mosque in Crimea that lost its Turkish contractors after the incident with the Su-24 shootdown. The head of the studio ARTMUS Dmitry Musin told to our edition about how they have managed to get into this project, why the Turkish approach to the interior – not always the right choice and what design solutions can be applied to a new cathedral mosque.
Secret contractors and farewell with the Turkish builder
The construction of the Crimean Tatar Cathedral mosque in Simferopol was started on 1 April. According to some reports, the Crimean Tatars have been waiting for this event for more than 12 years, as from time to time, there were different sort of obstacles on the way of development. Several Russian construction companies are involved, which came to replace the Turkish company Erbek, despite the fact that earlier it had already had agreements for the project.
The thing is that the Republican leadership has broken all business contacts with Turkey, including Erbek, after the Turkish fighter jet shot down the Russian bomber Su-24 in Syria in November.
The contractors are still kept in secrecy. However, earlier there was the information in media about the possible participation of KrymStroy. To the question of Realnoe Vremya who can join the Crimean organization the Kazan head of the design-studio ARTMUS Dmitry Musin said that he couldn't' give the answer because he does not have such information.
It was also reported that due to the 'extrabudgetary sources' the construction of the mosque has managed to raise about 2 billion rubles, and Tatarstan and Chechnya proposed to fund partially the construction of a cult object.
'First of all, we demonstrated its capabilities to the Crimean muftiyat'
According to the heads of PLC ARTMUS Dmitry and Liliya Musins, one can hardly say that the studio was invited to the project — everything has turned out differently.
'Initially the work was carried out by future or potential general contractors, these people were informed about us very well, we have met many times on the objects of Muslim architecture. First of all, we demonstrated its capabilities to the Crimean muftiyat. When it took place, I can't remember, but certainly we saw the reaction and knew what we are. This, apparently, followed by the progress of the team, which is engaged in this mosque,' said Musin.
As our interlocutor noted, at the moment the studio has held an introductory presentation that aims to show that the experienced people in the field of architectural solutions, interiors and exteriors of mosques are not only abroad (in Turkey) but also in Russia. A strong argument in favor of this statement is a number of major projects which have already been worked out by ARTMUS. For example, the mosque Yardem on the Serova Street – last work of the company in Kazan, the attachment to the Mardzhani mosque, the women prayer hall and the men's conference hall in that mosque. Also, the company did the interior of the cult object in the village Borisoglebskoye, Cathedral mosque in Nizhnekamsk and the Cathedral mosque in Ufa being under construction.
'I'm not ashamed to tell it: we are alarmed by the Turkish expansion'
As Dmitry Musin reported, it is too early to tell about the specific concept of the interior and exterior of the mosque in Simferopol. However, artists have a specific direction: they are going to preserve the Ottoman style, but at the same time, to make emphasis on the fact that the mosque is of the Crimean Tatar, not Turkish.
'I'm not ashamed to say it: Turkish expansion as the artistic heritage alarms us a little. Starting from the XVI century Islamic architecture of Crimea have been developing under the influence of Ottoman architectural art. Ottoman style has developed a vivid characteristic forms and techniques that are embodied in modern mosques. We are alarmed by the direct citation of the architecture of Turkey (Ottoman period) in this project, traditions of the culture and ethnicity of the Crimean Tatars are not reflected in the architecture,' said Musin.
Also, the head of the design studio told that he is a big opponent of Turkish approach to interiors, to be more exact – to murals. However, Musin immediately noted that he is not against Turkish mosques in general.
How real is the term defined by Crimean leadership?
Despite the fact that officially the construction of the mosque has been started, the Kazan company has not started to work — the opening ceremony in Simferopol more likely was a Crimean acquaintance of the public with specialists from Tatarstan. At the moment, there are many questions, including questions of decoration techniques and the possibility of adjusting the architecture of the mosque. The specific day when the Kazan specialists, at last, 'will give the green light', will be defined not earlier than in two weeks.
If we talk about the timing of the completion of construction, the mosque needs to have been fully constructed by 2019. Musin notes that the term of three years, defined by the Crimean leadership, is no so long for such huge project. According to the project, the complex of Cathedral mosque in Simferopol includes the mosque, administration building, surrounding area at 2.7 ha. The mosque itself will consist of a main building with a dome and a courtyard with colonnades and a place for ablution before performing salah.
The total capacity of the mosque will be about 4 000 people, the main prayer hall will be able accommodate 1.5 thousand men and 900 women. In the days of major religious holidays it is provided the performing of salah in the courtyard with a capacity of 1 100 people. The mosque will have four minarets 50 metres high each.
