Symbols & Motto

Symbols

The Universiade symbols are the most important attributes of university sports movement. The same as the Olympics, the symbols of the University Games include Universiade logo, motto, mascot, anthem, flag and Universiade brand sign.

Unlike the Olympic Games with its motto ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’, which was proposed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894, the World University Games cannot boast of a permanent motto. Each host nation offers its own, which is approved by FISU. The motto of the Kazan Universiade is ‘U are the world’ which has two meanings: ‘You are the world’ and ‘Universiade is the World’.

The mascot of the World University Games is another symbol of the Universiade. First introduced at the 1981 Winter Universiade, nowadays it is a mandatory element of the University Games. As a rule, the mascot represents an animal that symbolises the country where the Games are held. Uni, the kitten of winged snow leopard, became one of the Summer Universiade symbols.

The snow leopard or panther (Latin: uncia uncia) is a mammal of the cat family, living in the mountains of the Central Asia – the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, Pamir, Tien Shan, the Caucuses and the Altai. The snow leopard is included into the International Red Book and the Red Book of Russia.

The winged snow leopard is the national symbol of the Republic of Tatarstan. Stylised, this creature is represented on the national emblem of Tatarstan.

The snow leopard is a symbol of Bulgar tsars, the totem of the Bulgar tribe of Barsils, the main group of the Volga Bulgaria population. The cult of the snow leopard originated from the ancient times, and developed in Scythian and Saxon period.

The mountain-climbers the conquered all five seven thousand metre high mountains were titled the Snow Leopard in the USSR.

At the first World University Summer Games in 1959 it was decided to perform ‘Gaudeamus Igitur’ during the medal-award ceremonies. The anthem was composed by Johannes Ockenheim in the 15th century, the lyrics were adopted in the 18th century. Within the history of the University Games ‘Gaudeamus’ became the symbol of the Universiade as well as the FISU emblem and Universiade mascot.

Any Universiade logo must contain the Latin letter ‘U’ which is a mandatory element to brand any sports event held under the auspices of the International University Sports Federation (FISU).

The Kazan Universiade logo represents a vertical rectangular design that comprises words ‘Universiade’, ‘Kazan’, ‘Russia’, ’2013′ and five stars of the International University Sports Federation.

The Universiade emblem consists of a black letter ‘U’ printed on a white background, centered over 5 stars symbolising five continents. The emblem is present at the white flag of the World University Games. The Kazan Universiade brand sign is a stylised tulip. The basis of the brand sign is the so-called floral style of a modern Tatar ornament. In addition, flowers are an essential attribute of summer, a symbol of youth and development, joy and happiness.

At the end of the 15th- the first half of the 16th centuries, during the economic boom of the Kazan Khanate and flowering of various types of folk art, the Tatar ornament from a relatively modest and simple ornament of Bulgar period stepped into more dynamic, decorative saturated forms, which have focused on the traditional flower style.

The features of this style most prominently manifested themselves in some architectural details of monumental buildings of Kazan, which include typical for that time features of so-called eastern Baroque, jewelry and clothing.

A realistic basis for the reality perception, reflected in the national ornament, gives to the works of Tatar masters a special great art and informative value. The realism of the Tatar ornament is based on its profound relationship with the nature and life of people, with the technical methods of ornament design that determined the harmony of the ornament with material and product’s purpose.

Today the ornament continues to play a huge role in the folk art. However, under the current conditions its content has considerably changed and enriched: along with all the best that was created by Tatars during its existence, new, previously unknown plot-figurative motifs emerged within it.

The exquisite taste of Tatar people, their skills and artistic flair are remarkably evident in the embroidery, gold embroidery, ornamental weaving, in coinage and ceramics, in folk costume, in jeweler’s art and in leather applique, that is still famous in the world.

Symbols

The slogan of Kazan Universiade is ‘You are the World’.

Since the basic emblem of the Universiade represents the Latin letter ‘U’, then the following spelling is used: ‘U are the World’.

Thus, the motto acquires two meanings: ‘You are the World’ and ‘Universiade is the World’.

In Kazan, host city of the 2013 Summer Universiade, people of various nationalities, religions and cultures live in peace and harmony. Kazan became a symbol of tolerance, peaceful co-existence, cultural exchange and enrichment long time ago. These ideas are reflected in the motto.

And ‘U are the World’ is about the infinite value of a human being. His uniqueness and depth. His significance, power and potential. You are not limited by one dimension, you are multidimensional and many-sided. There is nothing impossible for you, you are the world of amazing talents. You will get everything you want.