On January 23, 2026, in the city of Shymkent, the traditional republican aytys of young poets titled “Zherebenің Zhüyrigi” was held at the initiative of the Shymkent City Branch of the International Union of Aitys Akyns and Zhyrshy-Termeshi, as well as the Karatau School of Traditional Arts.

Aytys is one of the most elevated and distinctive forms of art in the spiritual world of the Kazakh people. It is not merely a verbal contest, but a great spiritual phenomenon that with remarkable precision reflects the essence of the nation, its character, history and destiny, joys and sorrows, dreams and aspirations. This republican aytys of young poets clearly demonstrated that this art, passed down from generation to generation over centuries, is firmly rooted in the consciousness of today’s youth. At the same time, it once again confirmed its significance as an important cultural project aimed at developing the creative potential of young akyns and promoting the national art of aytys.

Twelve young poets selected from various regions of the country took part in the verbal competition. They vividly demonstrated the deep roots of national art and the vitality of the tradition of improvisation. The performances were evaluated by well-known representatives of aytys art — Boribai Orazymbetov, Birzhan Baituv and Kazhymukan Abzalov, who provided their professional assessments.

Following the intense and spectacular creative competition, the Grand Prize was awarded to Zarina Ongarkyzy, a first-year student of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University and a trainee of the Orazaly Dosbosynov Center for Young Akyns. The young poetess demonstrated ingenuity, depth of thought, and outstanding improvisational skill, earning the appreciation of the audience.

According to the results of the aytys, the prize winners were as follows:

Grand Prize — Zarina Ongarkyzy (Almaty) — 100,000 tenge;

First Place — Nurmakhan Zhakypbek (Shymkent) — 70,000 tenge;

Second Place — Zhakyp Meirzhan (Kyzylorda Region) — 50,000 tenge;

Third Place — Islamali Birzhanuly (Turkestan Region) — 40,000 tenge.

In addition, all young poets who participated in the aytys were awarded incentive prizes of 30,000 tenge each in support of their creative endeavors.

It should be noted that the main distinctive feature of the republican aytys of young poets “Zherebenің Zhüyrigi” is that participants do not form pairs in advance, but determine their opponents directly on stage by drawing lots. This format, evaluated according to an Olympic-style system, serves as a major creative school that develops ingenuity, quick thinking, and improvisational mastery among young akyns.

“Abai University” Media Center