Our compatriot — winner of an international competition
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of the International Organisation of Turkic Culture — TURKSOY. On the occasion of this glorious date, scientific and practical conferences, festivals and competitions were held with the participation of representatives of the member states of the organisation. A competition among schoolchildren for writing an essay on the theme «TURKSOY — the golden bridge of the Turkic world» was also dedicated to the anniversary. Akpamyk Maksadova, an 8th-grade pupil of specialised secondary school No. 28 in the city of Turkmenabat, took part in the competition, which was held online, and won first place. Young people from Mary and Ahal who represented our country took second and third places respectively. During the days of the grand celebration of the glorious 32nd anniversary of our country’s Independence, a ceremony to award the winners was held in Ankara, the capital of the Republic of Turkey. At the ceremony, Akpamyk Maksadova from Turkmenabat, the winner of the competition, was presented with a Certificate of Honour, a gold medal and a computer. Winning the international competition and arriving with a gift for our foremost holiday filled our talented compatriot with a deep sense of pride. The award ceremony was combined with joint practical lessons and events for schoolchildren of the TURKSOY member states. Over the course of a week, excursions were also organised in the Turkish cities of Ankara and Istanbul with the participation of young people from different countries. Our compatriots recently returned home. We spoke at our editorial office with Akpamyk Maksadova, the winner of the international competition, and her teacher. She said: — Active cooperation between our country and the International Organisation of Turkic Culture is growing ever closer. This prestigious international organisation declared «2024 — the year of Magtymguly Fragi, the great poet and thinker of the Turkic world». This is a sign of the very high international appreciation of the literary heritage of our classical poet. I also wrote about this in detail in my essay. Gozel Magtymova, the Turkmen language and literature teacher at our school, and my mother Nurtach Rejepova, who works as a teacher, gave me close support and guidance. And so, during the days of celebrating the glorious 32nd anniversary of our country’s Independence, I was awarded a Certificate of Honour and a gold medal as the winner of the international competition. This victory is my worthy gift to our foremost holiday. In the future, too, I will study with good marks at school and make a worthy contribution to the development of our country, — she says proudly. After finishing school, Akpamyk aims to obtain higher education in teaching and continue her mother’s profession. Her diligence, talent, abilities and love for her chosen profession will give her a positive impetus to master her cherished profession in the future.