Schoolgirl in Pavlodar region performs Abay's poetry passage.
In the heart of Kazakhstan, the "Thousand Children" contest, a yearly event promoting the state language among kids of diverse ethnicities, is still reigning in its fifth year. This time around, the young participants showcased their language skills by reciting verses from legendary Kazakh poet Abai Kunanbayev.
Stealing the show in the "Golden Word" category was 11th-grader Galina Yevloeva, hailing from the Shakat village school. Impressing the judges with her flawless recitation of Abai's poem "Eskender" from memory, Galina's dedication and tireless commitment to mastering Kazakh has earned her the title of a fluent speaker.
Her Kazakh language and literature teacher, Gauhar Sarsenbayeva, speaks highly of Galina, stating that she has been a dedicated student since first grade and her parents enrolled her in the state language class from day one. With a father of Ingush nationality and a mother Russian, Galina started learning Kazakh in the 5th grade. According to her teacher, a genuine passion to learn the language of the nation one resides in, coupled with readily accessible language resources, play a significant role in successful language acquisition.
Worth mentioning is that all winners and runners-up received certificates from the regional ANA and were bestowed with valuable gifts, including tablets.
Interestingly, this contest is reflective of Kazakhstan's larger national initiatives that emphasize the importance of the state language in the country's cultural and educational policy. The “Thousand Children” contest, though not detailed extensively, is a part of the country's efforts to cultivate state language proficiency among young people, which is widely recognized and supported[2][5]. By encouraging children to use, appreciate, and express themselves in Kazakh, the contest strengthens the language's role in daily and public life.
The story of a winner like Galina demonstrates the contest's inclusive objectives, aiming to inspire all children, irrespective of their heritage, to embrace the state language. This sends a powerful message of unity and shared cultural participation, motivating further engagement with the language and bolstering its usage across diverse communities.
Winners of such contests often serve as role models, showcasing the attainability and rewards of mastering the state language. With their victories widely publicized, these champions amplify the contest's reach and inspire more participation. Efforts like "Saby oqulary" that promote children's literature in Kazakh further reinforce the contest's impact by providing young learners with resources to deepen their linguistic skills and cultural connection[5].
In short, the “Thousand Children” contest, exemplified by winners like Galina Yevloeva, plays a vital role in normalizing and elevating the state language amidst Kazakhstan's youth, fostering a sense of national identity and inclusivity. These endeavors are reinforced by broader educational, literary, and community support, ensuring sustained impact over time[2][5].
Galina Yevloeva, the winner of the "Golden Word" category, demonstrated her commitment to education-and-self-development through her mastery of the Kazakh language and literature. Her personal-growth and dedication to learning the state language, despite her diverse ethnic background, showcases the contest's role in promoting inclusivity and personal-growth among Kazakhstan's youth.
