of children, parents, teachers, and professionals who share Tatar identity, heritage and scholarship.

My name is Alima that in Tatar and Arabic means “the one who knows”. I believe, this name was not accidentally chosen by my parents. It truly fits my life motto: I am the one who seeks the knowledge and is eager to share it with others.

In 2018, it led me to establish Alima Academy that has successfully turned into a community of dedicated learners and supporters of Tatar language, literature, history and culture. A community of ethnic Tatars who have migrated from our indigenous lands at some point and are in need of tailored instructions and educational opportunities to enrich and utilize our heritage language.

An idea to create an academy was not born by an accident. I realize, now, that I have been getting ready for that move since my childhood. Although, born ethnic Tatar in Kazan, Tatarstan, I, as a child, did not learn and practice Tatar language (a marker for potential linguistic proficiency); did not experience an authentic Tatar countryside and was not aware of Tatar values, folklore, traditions, holidays, classical literature (those are usually associated with wholistic “tatarness” or Tatar identity). Despite all the odds, though, the strong desire to celebrate my ancestors’ roots and speak my heritage language made me learn “everything” Tatar from scratch, receive Master’s degree in Tatar History and Education and speak freely Tatar language with my four children from the time they were born.

The strong motivation that led me to reach high proficiency in my native-used-to-be-foreign Tatar language has been helping me push the Academy’s community to reach their educational goals.  Here, in Alima Academy, a team of passionate educators are united with one goal in mind: To deliver an educational journey of Tatar language, history and culture that is based on individual needs and levels. We customize language instructions in accordance with unique backgrounds and capabilities of any given student.  Students’ excitement, teachers’ dedication, parents’ commitment – those are the staples of Alima Academy, and we strive to support, expand and enrich our community’s Tatar knowledge.

• Australia
• Canada
• United States
• Czech Republic
• France
• Germany
• England
• Finland
• Turkey
• Kazakhstan

We

learn,

improve,

take on challenge,

progress,

have fun,

make friends, and

celebrate our Tatar heritage

together!