World Nomad Games 2026: Kyrgyz-Kazakh Akyn Contest Heads Into Second Round
Translated from Russian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
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- The first day of the international Kyrgyz-Kazakh akyn contest, held as part of the VI World Nomad Games, has concluded.
- Eight poets advanced to the second round, scheduled for Sept. 3 at Kyrchyn pasture, with the final set for Sept. 4.
- Performers from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan used improvised verse to address their peoples’ history, culture, traditions and current issues.
The first day of the Kyrgyz-Kazakh akyn contest has ended at Kyrchyn pasture, where poets from both countries traded sharp lines, quick replies and improvised verse before the audience.
The international contest forms part of the VI World Nomad Games. Its second round is scheduled for Sept. 3 at 5 p.m., while the final will take place at 1 p.m. on Sept. 4, also at Kyrchyn pasture.
The participating akyns drew on the shared history, culture and traditions of the Kyrgyz and Kazakh peoples. They also turned current issues into poetry, testing their verbal agility and eloquence in front of spectators.
A judges’ decision sent eight poets through to the second round: Mukhtar Niyazov, Meirbek Sultanhan, Nurlan Esenkulov, Khazyret Berdikhan, Elmirbek Imanaliev, Akmatbek Sultan uulu, Kutman Sadybakasov and Nursultan Maldybaev.
About this summary
Originally published by 24.kg in Russian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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