The annual Aytysh – a competition of akyns-improvisers as a part of the «Bilim Aitysh» project. This year the competition was held on Sunday in the great hall of the National Philharmonic named after Toktogul Satylganov and became a notable event in the cultural life of Kyrgyzstan.
It is deeply symbolic and shows the revival of the traditional genre of folk poetry in a new format, where freedom of thought and spirit, focuses on social issues in society and the reflection of the truth of life has crucial significance.
The past Aytysh was organized by Internews in Kyrgyzstan within the framework of the Bilim Aytysh project with the support of the Union of Musicians and the Manas National Theatre. This time it was dedicated to the memory of the outstanding Kyrgyz akyn Maira Kerim kyzy.
For the third year, Internews in Kyrgyzstan has been training akyns in new methods of creating socially significant content and promoting it through social media, while helping to strengthen traditional cultural and moral values.
Nazik Chekirova, Director of Internews in Kyrgyzstan, speaking to an audience of thousands of fans of the Aitysh genre, explained why Internews known as a media support organization has recently been engaged in the work with manaschi and akyns.
Nazik Chekirova at the opening ceremony.
– We cooperate with all content creators.
Since ancient times, the akyns have been telling the truth and raising acute, burning issues that worried regular people.
Therefore, akyns, singers from the people, can be considered the first creators of meaningful content among the Kyrgyz.
“Manas” is a great and phenomenal legend of the Kyrgyz people. We consider it our duty to widely disseminate the unshakable universal values of Manas.
That is why “Bilim Aitysh” is a cutting-edge project and we will keep it ongoing” Nazik Chekirova noted.
According to her, Internews in Kyrgyzstan has managed to create a school where unique masters of the poetic word – akyn-improvisers – develop and improve their skills.
Kaya Adams, USAID Director in the Kyrgyz Republic, speaking at the opening ceremony, noted that the U.S. Government supports the program to develop the creativity of akyns in Kyrgyzstan since they can disseminate relevant and socially important content on vital topics, including those for young people, in social media.
Kaya Adams quotes lines from “Manas” in Kyrgyz.
“USAID is proud to be able to support the traditional art of the Kyrgyz people.”
She emphasized the importance of covering the topics like family relations, gender equality and ended up her speech with a famous quote from the epic “Manas”: “Курама жыйып журт кылдым” ( From various scraps I gathered my people).
The akyn Aisaba Bazarbai kyzy’s husband came to support her during the competition.
The Bilim Aitysh project is being successfully implemented with the help of well-known cultural figures and experts as Tugolbai Kazakov, Nazarkul Seidrakhmanov, Melis Murataliev, Ayman Kasenov, Maksat Zhumabekov, Samat Kochorbayev. It became possible thanks to the initiative and efforts of an Internews member in Kyrgyzstan, Masuda Aitieva.
The competition was attended by 17 akyns, where seven pairs and one triple competed, it lasted more than 4 hours, so it is quite complicated to describe it in a text format. This time the Akyns demonstrated great progress in their creativity.
It is not easy for Akyns to perform in a trio.
They touched upon sensitive topics of relationships between fathers and children, older and younger, attitudes towards girls and mothers, domestic violence, freedom of speech, and oppression of dissent. They talked about the state authorities and the initiative to replace the state flag, about the departing traditional values of the Kyrgyz, and how they would like to see a healthy Kyrgyz society.
Aytysh was held with a full house, the audience stayed for the performance and awarding for more than 5 hours.
By the way, some quotes from the akyns’ speeches were shared on social media, we can say that the Aitysh was a successful and significant event, carrying an educational and enlightening message, as well as positive role models for society.
Live Recording:
According to the results of the akyns’ performance, the jury determined the winners and nominees:
First prize and $ 1000 — Mambettokto Mambetorozo uulu
Second prize and $ 800 — Kubat Tukeshov
Third prize and $ 500 — Nursultan Maldybaev
All 17 participants of the project received scholarships in the amount of $ 500.
Special Award nominations:
The “New Name” prize was awarded to Ainara Baratbek kyzy.
“Akyn – example to follow” prize was awarded to Mambettokto Mambet Orozo uulu.
Bayan Akmatov and Aisaba Bazarbai kyzy were nominated to “Akyn the Thinker” prize.
“Akyn — orator” – Turat Zhumaev.
“Akyn the peacemaker” — Kubat Tukeshov.
“Akyn the enlightener” Mambettokto Mambet Omur uulu and Zhamayka Tokonova.
By interactive audience response, The Audience Award Prize was awarded to Nursultan Maldybayev.
Photo internews.kg