The city of Nukus hosted the official opening of the children’s art exhibition titled “The Aral through the Eyes of Children”.

The event was organized by the SCO Center for Public Diplomacy in Uzbekistan, the Republican and local “Barkamol Avlod” schools, the Karakalpak branches of the Academy of Arts, and the Union of Artists.

The exhibition features the best works selected from a creative competition. Young artists aged 7 to 16 depicted in their paintings the environmental problems of the region, their hopes for the restoration of nature, and their dreams for the future of the Aral Sea.

The winners of the competition in different age categories are:

Ages 7-10:

1st place – Fakhilbek Khalilayev

2nd place – Raikhan Jiyenbayeva

3rd place – Zilola Baltabayeva

Ages 11-13:

1st place – Shariyar Toreniyazov

2nd place – Sogdiana Duysenbayeva

3rd place – Gulnoz Umirzakova

Ages 14-16:

1st place – Ruslan Baltamuratov

2nd place – Maftuna Baktiyarova

3rd place – Khurliman Bazarbayeva

Special prizes and gifts were awarded to participants in the following nominations: “The Aral – Past and Future” – Beksultan Koyshibayev, “The Aral – Hearth of Values” – Munira Umrzakova, “The Aral of My Dreams” – Barshynay Minajatdinova, “You Will Be Reborn, Aral” – Sarbinaz Uzakbayeva, “The Tale of the Aral” – Aiziya Sultabayeva.

The project coordinator, Chief Specialist of the SCO Center for Public Diplomacy in Uzbekistan, Meyerbek Ergashbayev, stated:

– We have not inherited nature from our ancestors; we have borrowed it from our children. Every artwork presented at the exhibition reflects children’s visions and dreams of the Aral. All of them see the Aral not as a tragedy, but as an opportunity. Their imagination and sincere hopes should unite us on the path toward regional sustainability, inspiring new initiatives. This exhibition is just one link in our joint efforts. The project continues: the drawings will be transported to Tashkent, digitized, issued as postage stamps, and will also become part of a public awareness campaign on the capital’s public transport.

The “Aral through the Eyes of Children” project not only brings new young talents to light but also encourages society to reflect on environmental challenges and to take an active role in addressing them. Each artwork is a voice of hope, an expression of faith in a bright and clean future for the Aral region.

G. Khonnazarov, UzA