09 January 2014 | 14:11

Kazakhstan artist wins literary festival in UK

Asol Bilyalova's award-winning illustrations

Asol Bilyalova from Kazakhstan has won in the Artistic Illustration category at the Open Central Asia Book Forum and Literature Festival 2013 that was held both in London and Cambridge, Tengrinews reports. Bilyalova made illustrations for Olga Markova’s Zolotaya Kolybel (Golden Cradle), a collection of old Turkic myths and legends. Irina Gogol from Kyrgyzstan won the second place and Hashim Kurban from Kazakhstan won the third place in the category. David Mashuri won the Literary Translation category with his translation of a novel of Durnyam Mashurova, a Kazakhstan writer. Sdat Ibrahimova translated Ian Peart and won the second place and Rahim Abduvalieva translated a Kazakh witer Chingiz Aitmatov and won third place. Abdulla Isa from Azerbaijan became the winner of the Literary Work category. Hertfordshire Press will publish his novel. Kyrgyzstan's Turusbek Maldibayev and Khalima Akhmedova from Uzbekistan won the 2nd and the 3rd places. The organizers of the Open Central Asia Book Forum and Literature Festival aimed to showcase the Central Asian literary talents and give a taste of the regional flavor to the world. The Central Asian literature is yet largely unknown to the North American and European publishers. The event followed the success in Kyrgyzstan in 2012 and gathered more than 500 people. During the four days of the festival there were 12 events that included 2 Central Asian film previews, publishing roundtables, book readings, awarding ceremonies and receptions. 15 speakers from 8 countries participated in the Open Central Asia Book Forum and Literature Festival and shared their experience and ideas. The festival had received 168 applications from 20 countries. Each category - Literary Work, Literary Translation and Artistic Illustration - had 28 participants and only 3 winners. The organizers hope that the festival will become a tradition and encourage more contestants to apply in 2014.

Asol Bilyalova from Kazakhstan has won in the Artistic Illustration category at the Open Central Asia Book Forum and Literature Festival 2013 that was held both in London and Cambridge, Tengrinews reports. Bilyalova made illustrations for Olga Markova’s Zolotaya Kolybel (Golden Cradle), a collection of old Turkic myths and legends. Irina Gogol from Kyrgyzstan won the second place and Hashim Kurban from Kazakhstan won the third place in the category. David Mashuri won the Literary Translation category with his translation of a novel of Durnyam Mashurova, a Kazakhstan writer. Sdat Ibrahimova translated Ian Peart and won the second place and Rahim Abduvalieva translated a Kazakh witer Chingiz Aitmatov and won third place. Abdulla Isa from Azerbaijan became the winner of the Literary Work category. Hertfordshire Press will publish his novel. Kyrgyzstan's Turusbek Maldibayev and Khalima Akhmedova from Uzbekistan won the 2nd and the 3rd places. The organizers of the Open Central Asia Book Forum and Literature Festival aimed to showcase the Central Asian literary talents and give a taste of the regional flavor to the world. The Central Asian literature is yet largely unknown to the North American and European publishers. The event followed the success in Kyrgyzstan in 2012 and gathered more than 500 people. During the four days of the festival there were 12 events that included 2 Central Asian film previews, publishing roundtables, book readings, awarding ceremonies and receptions. 15 speakers from 8 countries participated in the Open Central Asia Book Forum and Literature Festival and shared their experience and ideas. The festival had received 168 applications from 20 countries. Each category - Literary Work, Literary Translation and Artistic Illustration - had 28 participants and only 3 winners. The organizers hope that the festival will become a tradition and encourage more contestants to apply in 2014.

Uzbekistan Azerbaijan books Europe festival Kazakh Kazakhstan Kyrgyz Kyrgyzstan literature London news UK award