Altyn Tobylgy Award

In 2015, the Foundation established Altyn Tobylgy literary prize, unique for Kazakhstan, in partnership with the Writers' Union of Kazakhstan and the State Language Development Foundation. The prize is awarded on a competitive basis for the best previously unpublished works of young writers between 18 and 35 years old.

The competition is held in five nominations: best prose, best poetry, best drama, best children's work, and a special nomination (determined annually).

We believe that Altyn Tobylgy prize encourages a genuine interest in the contemporary Kazakh literature and love of reading.

More than 120 works were submitted to the first annual Altyn Tobylgy prize. The jury consists of prominent Kazakh writers, scriptwriters, and journalists. They assess the originality of idea and storyline, artistic merit and the depth of aesthetic appeal of the original work.

Four winners were awarded at the solemn Altyn Tobylgy award ceremony:

• Best Prose - Arai Ertargynova, 20, Ust-Kamenogorsk;
• Best Drama - Annas Bagdat, 31, Almaty;
• Best Children's Work - Alexey Varzayev, 35, Shakhtinsk;
• Special nomination Mangilik El - Esbolat Aydabosyn, 34, Taldykorgan.

Each winner received a cash prize of 1 million tenge and the winner in the special nomination received 1.5 million tenge.