Galiaskar Kamal Tatar State Academic Theatre

The Galiaskar Kamal Tatar Academic Theatre is the leading Tatar theater in Kazan, Russia. Named after the playwright Galiaskar Kamal, it was founded on December 22, 1906.The first known Tatar theatrical efforts were during the 19th century when Tatar amateur theater groups emerged in some cities and towns of Russia with sizable Tatar populations. The first published Tatar-language play was "Unhappy Girl" by Gabdrakhman Ilyasi, written perhaps under the influence of the first Turkish playwright İbrahim Şinasi and his play "Şair Evlenmesi" which was published in 1860. Both plays deal with the problem of arranged marriages which were very common at that time.

In the middle of the 19th century, Tatar amateur theater groups staged free performances in private houses and were attended by very few people. Their repertoire usually included the plays of Russian and foreign playwrights.