Bishkek, April 28, 2023. / Kabar /. Today more than 60 Kyrgyz authors and 30 illustrators received letters of appreciation from the Ministry of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic for their contribution in developing more than 1,300 new books for children. These books are adapted and created under the “Okuu keremet!” project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Minister of Education and Science Kanybek Imanaliev, the Minister of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy Altynbek Maksutov, Chairman of the National Union of Writers Nurlanbek Kalybekov, and USAID/KR Mission Director Kaya Adams spoke at the event dedicated to the World Book Day.
These authors and illustrators participated in intensive learning sessions on book writing and design, production, review, and revision. During these sessions, authors refined their own stories guided by a group of local and international experts. They also mastered an application called Bloom that allows them to create and adapt electronic books.
“I gained valuable insight into the importance of following the structure and age-related characteristics of children's thinking. I also learned to account for language peculiarities to ensure children’s best understanding of the text”- said author Olga Starodubova from Tup district of Issyk-Kul region.
Since 2020, these authors and illustrators together have created more than 1,300 books of various genres including fairy tales, comic books, encyclopedias, and fantasy. These books promote such values as family and friendship, appreciation of diversity, respect, curiosity, and creativity.
“This is one of the biggest book development efforts in the Kyrgyz Republic. It has resulted in the emergence of a new generation of talented writers and artists for children” says Kaya Adams, USAID Mission Director.
The books are available online on the website of the Ministry of Education and Bloom’s Library.
“Your work and support to development of children's literature and visual arts is critical considering the globalization processes and how it shapes the path of future generations,” said First Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy Kairat Imanaliev.
By 2024, USAID plans to develop 200 more new book titles. Selected titles will be printed and around a million copies will be provided to public schools and libraries around the country.
USAID’s Okuu Keremet! project improves learning outcomes in reading and mathematics and has benefited more than 450,000 primary grade students to date. The project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic and reaches approximately 75% of all schools across the country.
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