1,000 candles on Russian city's birthday cake

KAZAN, Russia -- Streets are scrubbed. Buildings are painted. Amassive stage in front of the Qol Sharif mosque and beside the mightyVolga awaits thousands of spectators -- including President VladimirPutin -- and the attention of all the nation.

Deep in the Russian heartland, along the river that forms thecountry's historic backbone, the city of Kazan, capital of the mainlyMuslim region of Tatarstan, is celebrating its 1000th birthday.

The big festivities start today, and officials are holding nothingback. Further boosting Kazan's profile is Putin, who is expected toattend concerts and fireworks.

The events will highlight the region's primary ethnic group, theTatars, who trace their lineage back to the feared Mongol hordes thatraced across Russia in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Tatars tend to be moderate Muslims, and Tatarstan has had littleof the ethnic or religious strife that has plagued Russia's otherMuslim regions.

AP