Published on: 2026-08-24
Source: KAMAZ – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Last Friday, August 21, Naberezhnye Chelny held a large-scale celebration of a double anniversary. The celebration of the city’s 400th anniversary and the 50th anniversary since the first KAMAZ was launched was organized at the square of the “Pribrezhnoy” park.
The honorary guests of the celebration were the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, State Duma deputy of the Russian Federation Alfiya Kogogina, General Director of PJSC KAMAZ Sergey Kogogin, first builders, veterans of various industries, heroes of the special military operation, and company employees. The guests were welcomed by an exhibition of the city’s enterprises.
The “KAMAZ” exhibition featured more than 30 vehicles – from the first generation K1 to the high-tech K5 generation trucks. The tour was conducted by the chief designer of PJSC “KAMAZ” – director of the Scientific and Technical Center Evgeny Makarov. The main exhibits of the historical zone – the first KAMAZ from 1976, the millionth KAMAZ-5320 assembled in 1988, and the first sports car of the “KAMAZ-master” team from 1988 – left the guests unaffected. Many took memorable photos next to the first truck. On one of the innovative models – the KAMAZ-65659 tractor unit – the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the General Director of PJSC “KAMAZ” Sergey Kogogin left autographs.
The main event took place at the Maidan square. Hundreds of performers took part in a theatrical show. Among them were artists from the KAMAZ Palace of Culture, KAMAZ musicians. Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, city mayor Nail Magdeev, and State Duma deputy Alfya Kogogina congratulated the residents of Chelny from the stage. The first to speak was the address of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who sent a congratulatory telegram to the city.
“Dear friends! Congratulations on this momentous occasion. You are rightfully proud of your hometown, which has grown from a small settlement on the banks of the Kama River to one of the largest industrial centers in Russia, through the labor and military achievements of its people, traditions of patriotism, friendship, interethnic harmony, and mutual understanding passed down from generation to generation. Today, the natives of the city stand shoulder to shoulder with their comrades-in-arms defending the Fatherland during the special military operation, contributing to the development of the Russian economy, science, and culture. And of course, a special chapter in the history of Naberezhnye Chelny, the Republic of Tatarstan, and the entire country is connected with the construction of the legendary “KAMAZ” – a true industrial giant. Its products are widely used in construction and housing and communal services, in industrial and agricultural enterprises, and make up a significant part of the vehicle fleet of the Armed Forces of Russia. I know that initiatives in high-tech manufacturing, social infrastructure, transport, ecology and tourism, education, and healthcare are being implemented in Naberezhnye Chelny.”Taking into account the opinion of city residents, in-demand programs for the improvement of courtyards and streets, parks, and other public spaces are being implemented. I wish you success in addressing these large-scale tasks and all the very best,” the congratulatory telegram text says.
On behalf of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Deputy Alfiya Kogogina congratulated the people of Chelny: “Since 400 years ago when our city began to be built on the banks of the Kama River – free and resolute like the winds of the Kama, indomitable like our wide, full-flowing river – we have grown from a small village into a major industrial center where the industrial heart of our Russia beats. And since 50 years ago when the first truck rolled off the assembly line, KAMAZ has firmly entered the chronicle of our people’s outstanding achievements. It is our anniversary year 2026 that President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin declared the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, and Rustam Nurgalievich declared the Year of Military and Labor Valor. Our KAMAZ is indeed the result of the labor valor and unity of our great multinational people!”
“The four-century history of Naberezhnye Chelny is a testament to the remarkable resilience and dedicated labor of many generations of Chelny residents, their love for their homeland,” noted the President of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov. “Undoubtedly, the recent history of Naberezhnye Chelny is inextricably linked with KAMAZ. The decision to build the truck plant was made exactly 57 years ago — in August 1969. And in February 1976, the first serial truck rolled off the conveyor. Today, the automotive giant KAMAZ is the flag bearer of automobile manufacturing in our country, a leader in the production of domestic trucks and buses, and the development of electric and driverless vehicles. The enterprise makes a huge contribution to strengthening the country’s defense capability and technological leadership.” The President expressed gratitude to all who have contributed and continue to contribute to the development of the Auto City and KAMAZ. Special words of thanks were addressed to the Chelny residents who today defend the country’s sovereignty on the front lines of the Special Military Operation.
The Mayor of the city, Nail Magdeev, first of all noted that the history of Naberezhnye Chelny is the history of the people who created a half-million city through their labor. “Thanks to its location, wise leaders, and hardworking people, Naberezhnye Chelny has transformed into a city of vast opportunities. It is here that a special resilience was nurtured, an unyielding character of the people was formed, that very spirit of Chelny. Assessing the path traveled, we see the results of joint labor: powerful industrial enterprises, the largest automotive giant KAMAZ, and a modern and comfortable city to live in,” he said.
In the theatrical show, the performers depicted four centuries of the city’s history. It began with the arrival of the pioneer Fyodor Popov by the Kama River in 1626, along with five families, who decided to establish a settlement – Chalninsky pochinok. Then came the merchant, fair, Sabantuy, rear, and post-war periods of Chelny, Chelny during the conquest of the Kama, the construction of the hydroelectric power station, and “KAMAZ.” In 1976, “the labor of thousands of people culminated in a new automobile.” To the sounds of the famous song “Fly Forward, KAMAZ!” a parade of vehicles passed through the square. The performance concluded with the appearance of young inhabitants of Chelny, “who will continue the story,” and a joint rendition of the song “Our Chelny” with its key phrase – “The city that we built.” The program was then continued by Chelny artists, and the evening’s climax was the performance of stars – People’s Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan Salavat Fathutdinov and Russian pop star Sergey Lazarev.
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