An interview with Ramil Kerimov, head of the Polylog Foundation, about the initiative to set the record for “Dagestan—Russia’s Most Multilingual Region”
What was the starting point for the initiative to set the record for Russia’s most multilingual region? Why was it important for the foundation to establish this record right now?
When Rodion Ismailov and I began filming “The Mountain of Languages,” we could not have imagined that at the end of 2025, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin would issue such a historic decree and declare 2026 the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia! For us, this was very symbolic, because we are among those people who strive every day to do what we can for the good of our society, and all of this—by God’s blessing! We believe that without knowledge of our roots, identity, history, and cultural heritage, it would have been impossible to create this film or even consider the possibility of entering Dagestan into the Russian Book of Records.
The “Polylog” Foundation began implementing the idea while simultaneously studying the region and conducting extensive research. It is precisely now, in the Year of Unity, that we felt it was important to document this achievement as a symbol that Dagestan’s unique linguistic richness is our shared heritage, which we are obligated to preserve and about which we must speak to the entire country!
What was the starting point for the initiative to set the record for Russia’s most multilingual region? Why was it important for the foundation to establish this record right now?
When Rodion Ismailov and I began filming “The Mountain of Languages,” we could not have imagined that at the end of 2025, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin would issue such a historic decree and declare 2026 the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia! For us, this was very symbolic, because we are among those people who strive every day to do what we can for the good of our society, and all of this—by God’s blessing! We believe that without knowledge of our roots, identity, history, and cultural heritage, it would have been impossible to create this film or even consider the possibility of entering Dagestan into the Russian Book of Records.
The “Polylog” Foundation began implementing the idea while simultaneously studying the region and conducting extensive research. It is precisely now, in the Year of Unity, that we felt it was important to document this achievement as a symbol that Dagestan’s unique linguistic richness is our shared heritage, which we are obligated to preserve and about which we must speak to the entire country!
What role did the film "The Mountain of Languages" play in launching the project? Would it be fair to say that it became not just a cultural project, but a genuine contribution to research on the region?
"The Mountain of Languages" is not just a documentary; it is a true exploration of the region’s soul! Rodion Ismailov is a very meticulous director; his work comes from the heart and stems from a love for God. He managed to convey not only the diversity of Dagestan’s languages, but also that crucial paradigm that speaks to the preservation of traditional family values and mutual respect between men and women.
I am confident this film will become a classic of Russian documentary cinema. And people will seek out Rodion Ismailov when they realize he has created something more than just a film—he has created a document of an era! Without this film, without the atmosphere of trust that the film crew managed to create, we might not have dared to undertake such a large-scale documentation of Dagestan’s linguistic richness.
"The Mountain of Languages" is not just a documentary; it is a true exploration of the region’s soul! Rodion Ismailov is a very meticulous director; his work comes from the heart and stems from a love for God. He managed to convey not only the diversity of Dagestan’s languages, but also that crucial paradigm that speaks to the preservation of traditional family values and mutual respect between men and women.
I am confident this film will become a classic of Russian documentary cinema. And people will seek out Rodion Ismailov when they realize he has created something more than just a film—he has created a document of an era! Without this film, without the atmosphere of trust that the film crew managed to create, we might not have dared to undertake such a large-scale documentation of Dagestan’s linguistic richness.
In your opinion, what makes the Republic of Dagestan unique as a linguistic region? Why does this region attract so much interest from researchers, cultural institutions, and tourists?
All the constituent entities of the Russian Federation are simply amazing in their diversity and abundance of cultural heritage—they cannot be compared! Every inch of Russia—whether it was the Russian Empire or the USSR—and every person born at any given time is my homeland. Because we are united by our faith in God and our love for our homeland! But somehow, it turned out that Dagestan was able to preserve its language and traditions.
During the Soviet era, unfortunately, people were resettled, and from this we can draw conclusions and avoid repeating these mistakes again. As Vladimir Putin said: “So that your children, your grandchildren, and your great-grandchildren will be proud of you just as we are proud of our fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers in our time.”
Our history includes memorable dates like Victory Day, but there are also dates when we inflicted pain upon ourselves. Yet in Dagestan at that time, a leader like Aziz Aliyev and his team were put in charge. (Ramil Mamedovich laughs: “Here’s another idea—to make a film about them too!”) According to archival documents, they persuaded the leadership at the time not to carry out the resettlement. Only a person who can not only feel another’s pain but also knows how to heal it can reach an understanding with the mountain peoples. There is a saying: “As long as a person feels pain, they are alive. As long as a person feels another’s pain, they are human.” Aziz Aliyev knew how to heal another’s pain, and this allowed the linguistic and cultural diversity of Dagestan to be preserved!
All the constituent entities of the Russian Federation are simply amazing in their diversity and abundance of cultural heritage—they cannot be compared! Every inch of Russia—whether it was the Russian Empire or the USSR—and every person born at any given time is my homeland. Because we are united by our faith in God and our love for our homeland! But somehow, it turned out that Dagestan was able to preserve its language and traditions.
During the Soviet era, unfortunately, people were resettled, and from this we can draw conclusions and avoid repeating these mistakes again. As Vladimir Putin said: “So that your children, your grandchildren, and your great-grandchildren will be proud of you just as we are proud of our fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers in our time.”
Our history includes memorable dates like Victory Day, but there are also dates when we inflicted pain upon ourselves. Yet in Dagestan at that time, a leader like Aziz Aliyev and his team were put in charge. (Ramil Mamedovich laughs: “Here’s another idea—to make a film about them too!”) According to archival documents, they persuaded the leadership at the time not to carry out the resettlement. Only a person who can not only feel another’s pain but also knows how to heal it can reach an understanding with the mountain peoples. There is a saying: “As long as a person feels pain, they are alive. As long as a person feels another’s pain, they are human.” Aziz Aliyev knew how to heal another’s pain, and this allowed the linguistic and cultural diversity of Dagestan to be preserved!
Could we say that setting this record is part of the Polylog Foundation’s mission?
Setting a record is one of the cornerstones of the Polylog Foundation’s mission in the Year of Unity 2026! Because, unfortunately, when we Russians say “Dagestan,” most of us think of beautiful people, a wonderful nation, stunning landscapes, and magnificent sports champions.
We must remember the Manafovs—Galina and her husband Kazym—who gathered an amazingly wonderful group of people around them and established the first Children’s School of Choreography in the Caucasus. These are all our roots! I could spend hours listing the names of people Dagestan should be proud of.
The development of culture and identity is impossible without our state!
Our Leader and his team!
Mr. Melikov, just like his predecessors, who create all the conditions for the development and preservation of Dagestan’s cultural heritage!
Patrons like Suleiman Kerimov!
And also the countless people, known only to God, who do everything for the sake of their Motherland and its future!
I recently witnessed firsthand how Dagestan raised nearly 230 million rubles in just 30 days for the treatment of a Dagestani boy named Said—and this is a living example of true unity! And we are infinitely grateful to Mr. Putin, Mr. Melikov, the heads of health and security, and everyone involved, because it is thanks to their efforts that our system is developing while at the same time preserving its identity and culture! And now we—doctors, teachers, and ordinary people—are inspired and follow their example!
Setting a record is one of the cornerstones of the Polylog Foundation’s mission in the Year of Unity 2026! Because, unfortunately, when we Russians say “Dagestan,” most of us think of beautiful people, a wonderful nation, stunning landscapes, and magnificent sports champions.
We must remember the Manafovs—Galina and her husband Kazym—who gathered an amazingly wonderful group of people around them and established the first Children’s School of Choreography in the Caucasus. These are all our roots! I could spend hours listing the names of people Dagestan should be proud of.
The development of culture and identity is impossible without our state!
Our Leader and his team!
Mr. Melikov, just like his predecessors, who create all the conditions for the development and preservation of Dagestan’s cultural heritage!
Patrons like Suleiman Kerimov!
And also the countless people, known only to God, who do everything for the sake of their Motherland and its future!
I recently witnessed firsthand how Dagestan raised nearly 230 million rubles in just 30 days for the treatment of a Dagestani boy named Said—and this is a living example of true unity! And we are infinitely grateful to Mr. Putin, Mr. Melikov, the heads of health and security, and everyone involved, because it is thanks to their efforts that our system is developing while at the same time preserving its identity and culture! And now we—doctors, teachers, and ordinary people—are inspired and follow their example!
What other projects is “Polylog” currently working on? What are your plans for the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia?
The “Polylog” Foundation continues to work on new projects. We have many plans, and we intend to implement initiatives aimed not only at benefiting Russia but also at developing the scientific community across the CIS and the Middle East. We are currently actively screening the film “The Mountain of Languages” at various venues. Screenings have already taken place at the Eldar Cinema, the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, and the Mountain Jews Center.
We are also working on a documentary series about outstanding individuals—Galina and Kazym Manafov, the founders of children’s choreography. And we plan to make a film about the founder of the “Lezginka” ensemble, Tanhos Selimovich Izrailev. A legendary figure, a man who was the first to bring together the entire culture and identity of this multi-ethnic region and create an ensemble known throughout the world. In the Year of Unity, we strive to ensure that the idea of unity lives on not just for a single year, but every day!
The “Polylog” Foundation continues to work on new projects. We have many plans, and we intend to implement initiatives aimed not only at benefiting Russia but also at developing the scientific community across the CIS and the Middle East. We are currently actively screening the film “The Mountain of Languages” at various venues. Screenings have already taken place at the Eldar Cinema, the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, and the Mountain Jews Center.
We are also working on a documentary series about outstanding individuals—Galina and Kazym Manafov, the founders of children’s choreography. And we plan to make a film about the founder of the “Lezginka” ensemble, Tanhos Selimovich Izrailev. A legendary figure, a man who was the first to bring together the entire culture and identity of this multi-ethnic region and create an ensemble known throughout the world. In the Year of Unity, we strive to ensure that the idea of unity lives on not just for a single year, but every day!
What significance does this record hold in the context of the Year of the Peoples of Russia and, more broadly, for the preservation of linguistic and cultural diversity in Russia?
The film *The Mountain of Languages* and the Republic of Dagestan’s entry in the Russian Book of Records represent the legacy of our ancestors. Just as in our Leader’s message, this supports the idea of the importance of preserving and sustaining cultural heritage. It speaks of love and respect for one’s mother, one’s homeland, and God! How this is passed down from generation to generation and manifests itself in every action. We grow and follow the example of our most worthy ancestors, and it is our duty to become the same for our children!
Dagestan is a treasure trove of such people—examples for our entire country. My team and I dedicate our work to those very invisible heroes who protect and develop our state! Every day is a new challenge, and to face it, we must love one another, respect one another, and know our cultural heritage!
I will feel that my duty is fulfilled when, sitting at their school desks—whether in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Yekaterinburg, or any other city in Russia—children from different regions know and congratulate one another on all national holidays: Novruz Bayram, Maslenitsa, and Eid al-Fitr. And only then will I be able to say that we are worthy representatives of our country!
Happy Russian Unity Day!
Your “Polylog” and its editor-in-chief,
Ramil Kerimov
Link: https://riadagestan.ru/news/society/ramil_kerimov_unikalnoe_yazykovoe_bogatstvo_dagestana_nashe_obschee_dostoyanie
The film *The Mountain of Languages* and the Republic of Dagestan’s entry in the Russian Book of Records represent the legacy of our ancestors. Just as in our Leader’s message, this supports the idea of the importance of preserving and sustaining cultural heritage. It speaks of love and respect for one’s mother, one’s homeland, and God! How this is passed down from generation to generation and manifests itself in every action. We grow and follow the example of our most worthy ancestors, and it is our duty to become the same for our children!
Dagestan is a treasure trove of such people—examples for our entire country. My team and I dedicate our work to those very invisible heroes who protect and develop our state! Every day is a new challenge, and to face it, we must love one another, respect one another, and know our cultural heritage!
I will feel that my duty is fulfilled when, sitting at their school desks—whether in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Yekaterinburg, or any other city in Russia—children from different regions know and congratulate one another on all national holidays: Novruz Bayram, Maslenitsa, and Eid al-Fitr. And only then will I be able to say that we are worthy representatives of our country!
Happy Russian Unity Day!
Your “Polylog” and its editor-in-chief,
Ramil Kerimov
Link: https://riadagestan.ru/news/society/ramil_kerimov_unikalnoe_yazykovoe_bogatstvo_dagestana_nashe_obschee_dostoyanie
