ASTANA, June 6, 2023 – Brave girls, hospitable Kazakhstanis, caring dads, and children who are not indifferent to the environment—these are just a few of the topics covered in the collection of fairy tales titled “Shugylaly Ertegiler.” The book was presented today in the capital to celebrate International Children’s Day.
Astana hosted the presentation of a book of fairy tales written by modern Kazakh authors. The collection is aimed at readers aged 5 to 12 and tells inspiring stories about contemporary Kazakhstani children in the Kazakh language. The fairy tales explore themes such as caring for nature, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, hospitality, equality, fair treatment of others, and family values. The collection challenges gender stereotypes, discusses pressing global issues such as forced displacement, seeking asylum, and civil rights, and instills these concepts in children through the language of fairy tales. The authors also address current problems, such as the story of Erkegul, a heroine who was so engrossed in her smartphone that she simply “fell” into it!
The book of fairy tales, “Shugylaly Ertegiler,” is a joint project of the UN Office in Kazakhstan, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Refugee Agency, UN Women, and Chevron energy company. The publishing partner for the book is Steppe & World Publishing, a renowned publisher of books in the Kazakh language. This is the first time they have translated a bestseller like “Harry Potter” into the state language.
Opening the event, Michaela Friberg-Story, the UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, emphasized the importance of children learning about sustainable development. She stated, “Through these pages, we aim to convey the values of compassion, inclusion, and respect for diversity. This project allows us to learn together how we can create a more sustainable world for all of us.”
Ronnie Lindstrom, the representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Kazakhstan, addressed the young guests at the presentation, expressing his pleasure that the collection includes fairy tales that teach the equality of girls and boys and promote societies that are kind and fair to all.
Hans Friedrich Schodder, UNHCR Representative, said, “I am delighted to present this book of fairy tales on the eve of World Refugee Day, which is celebrated on June 20. The collection includes several stories that illustrate the importance of friendship and solidarity with newcomers from other countries.”
Maria Dotsenko, Representative of UN Women in Kazakhstan, stated, “I want all children in Kazakhstan to be able to read these wonderful fairy tales and get to know the heroes who are just like them—girls and boys who challenge established gender stereotypes and roles. Readers will learn about the heroes of our time who perform good deeds, know how to be friends, care for others, love their land, protect the environment, and strive for knowledge and new technologies.”
The book presentation was a joyful event for children. The young guests were entertained by animators, and the most active participants took part in a quiz and received collections of fairy tales “Shugylaly Ertegiler” and colorful bookmarks as gifts.
Reflecting on the project’s launch, Raisa Sairan Kadyr, the head of Steppe & World Publishing, concluded, “I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing project. I am incredibly proud of our authors who have written these remarkable stories. We thank all the participants in the project and hope that it will have a long-term positive impact on our society.”
The primary purpose of the collection “Shugylaly Ertgiler” is to educate young children, expand their horizons, enhance their aesthetic sense, develop their speech, and enrich their vocabulary. The tales in the collection are allegorical stories involving animals and birds. Although not traditional in form, these animals and birds tackle social problems of our time while advocating for ecology and global peace.
The fairy tales “Shugylaly Ertegiler” are also available in audio format on the Qonzhyq App. For those who prefer reading, the collection is expected to be available for sale in bookstores soon.
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