Astana preschoolers took the top prize. Children from the Qoshaqan preschool group at Kindergarten No. 56 Bereke won the Grand Prix at the 10th annual Abai Readings literary contest, DKNews.kz reports.
The Presidential Center of Kazakhstan’s Department of Presidential Affairs announced the results. This year’s contest brought together 217 participants from across the country, with the youngest aged just three.
A literary contest spanning generations
Dedicated to poet and thinker Abai Kunanbayev, a founder of classical Kazakh written literature, the contest welcomed kindergarten children, school pupils, college and university students, and employees of various organizations.
Children with special educational needs also participated. Alongside poetry recitation, the awards recognized creative approaches and innovative projects inspired by Abai’s legacy.
Several organizations under the Department of Presidential Affairs supported the contest through staff participation:
- Karlygash Kindergarten;
- the National Hospital of the department’s Medical Center;
- the Center for Medical Technologies and Information Systems;
- the Motor Transport Enterprise supporting Kazakhstan’s Kurultai;
- the Directorate of Administrative Buildings of the Presidential Administration and Government;
- the Department of Presidential Affairs’ Motor Transport Enterprise.
Shymkent student wins the school category
Suleymen Aspandiyar, a 10th-grade student at the M. Kh. Dulati Specialized Trilingual Gymnasium No. 8 in Shymkent, won first place among school pupils.
Second place was shared by:
- Telman Nuriman, a ninth-grade student at Karasu Secondary School in the Kaztalov District of West Kazakhstan Region;
- Suleymen Adiya, a seventh-grade student at the M. Kh. Dulati Gymnasium No. 8 in Shymkent.
Third place went to:
- Rabay Ayaulym, an eighth-grade student at the N. Tlendiev Specialized Boarding School-Gymnasium;
- Nokhat Alina, an 11th-grade student at the S. Seifullin Regional Specialized Boarding School-Lyceum No. 11 for Gifted Children in Uralsk.
Employees and university students take adult awards
Zulkharnaev Askar, an employee of the Directorate of Administrative Buildings of the Presidential Administration and Government, won first place in the adult category.
Saidullakyzy Zhasmina, a student at Karaganda Industrial University, took second place.
Third place was awarded to employees of the Motor Transport Enterprise of the Department for Logistical Support of Kazakhstan’s Kurultai.
Special awards recognize creativity and expressive reading
Participants also received awards for their recitation style, curiosity, and creative work.
The special award recipients included:
- Zhandoskyzy Aisaule, from the Qoshaqan group at Bereke Kindergarten No. 56 in Astana — “Bright Star”;
- Mynaidar Akhmet, from Karlygash Kindergarten — “Youngest Participant”;
- Mukhtar Khaqnazar, from Karlygash Kindergarten — “Gifted Child”;
- Kaldybek Mansur, from Karlygash Kindergarten — “Most Diligent Participant”;
- Nesina Sofia, a sixth-grade student at Uzunkol Secondary School No. 1 in Kostanay Region — “Most Diligent Participant”;
- Class 10A students at School-Gymnasium No. 6 in Semey — “For Inquisitiveness”;
- Osetrova Alina, from Dokuchaevka Secondary School in the Altynsarin District of Kostanay Region — “For Passion for the Art of the Spoken Word”;
- Zhumagali Nurbek, an 11th-grade student at the S. Seifullin Boarding School-Lyceum No. 11 in Uralsk — “For an Outstanding Image”;
- Temirtayev Nurdaulet, a sixth-grade student at the same school — “Expressive Voice”;
- Tilekkyzy Kausar, a ninth-grade student, and Serikzhan Aizere, an 11th-grade student at Special Boarding School No. 3 in Semey — “For Passion for Art”;
- Kaziev Temirlan, a 10th-grade student at Regional Special Boarding School No. 2 in Uralsk — “Master of the Spoken Word”;
- Shapauova Saulesh Ashtayevna, a Kazakh language teacher, and Turlybekova Maral Adilbekovna, an educator at Karlygash Kindergarten in Astana — “Dedicated Educator”.
Abjami Kuatzhan, an information security specialist at the Medical Center’s Center for Medical Technologies and Information Systems, was also recognized.
Why Abai’s writings still matter
Serik Sydykov, Chairman of the Department of Presidential Affairs’ Council of Mentors and Advisor to the Director of the Presidential Center, spoke about the continuing relevance of Abai’s work.
«Abai and his work remain relevant even in today’s globalized world. We find answers to many questions that concern us today within his writings. Therefore, the comprehensive promotion of Abai’s creative and intellectual legacy remains a vital task. Turning to the words of wisdom from outstanding thinkers who strove with every word to foster the development of national consciousness is our shared duty.»
The preschool group’s Grand Prix highlights how early children can begin engaging with literary heritage. The wider list of winners also reflects the contest’s reach across schools, universities, and workplaces.
We previously explored the competition’s tradition in our coverage of the eighth Abai Readings, which featured participants and special awards from an earlier edition.
