In 1993, the staff of the Zvezda plant and the Alachinsky state farm, the Cossacks of Kalmykia, as well as the congress of entrepreneurs of the republic, nominated Kirsan Ilyumzhinov as a candidate for the post of President of the Republic of Kalmykia.
On April 11, 1993, with 65.4% of the vote, 32-year-old Ilyumzhinov became the first president of Kalmykia. During his presidency, he did much for Kalmykia.
Over the years, Buddhist and Orthodox churches and the Chess City were built, where the International Chess Olympiad was held in 1998. The largest Khurul in Europe - The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni was also built.
Thanks to the activities of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Kalmykia was recognized in the world. World-famous actors and musicians and politicians visited the Republic. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II also call on, as well as His Holiness the Dalai Lama who twice came to Kalmykia on a pastoral visit.
