The finalists of the national stage of the International Competition for Young Readers “Living Classics”, held in the Department of Education, Science and Culture of the Russian Embassy in Ashgabat, will represent Turkmenistan at the final competitive round in Russia.

As SNG.Today reports, after the qualifying rounds, 15 Turkmen schoolchildren in grades 5-10 took part in the finals.

The children recited by heart excerpts from the works of Chingiz Aitmatov, Anton Chekhov, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Mikhail Sholokhov, Alexander Fadeev.

The jury assessed the participants on their ability to select a text, its aesthetic presentation, ability to exert an emotional influence on the listener, correctness of speech, diction and artistry.

Based on the results of the competition, the jury selected 3 winners. They were eighth-graders Sofia Orazova and Matvey Gulyanitsky, as well as tenth-grader Rustam Gudrutullaev.

In May they will take part in the international stage of the competition, which will be held in Russia.

The competition for young readers was established in 2011 and has become popular not only in Russia, but also in many countries. Participants compete in the skill of reading aloud an excerpt from their favorite prose work by Russian and Soviet writers.

This year, schoolchildren from 60 countries of the world are taking part in the creative competition along with Turkmen readers.