Great Success from KTMU Department of Theater Students at an International Theatre Festival
Students of the Department of Theater at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University (KTMU) achieved remarkable international success by winning 7 out of 10 awards in the fields of dramaturgy and theatre criticism at the XI International Student Theatre Festival held in Bishkek.
The “New Names” XI International Student Theatre Festival, held on April 18, 2026, in Bishkek has concluded. Organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Information and Youth Policy of Kyrgyz Republic, the Bübüsara Beyşenaliyeva Kyrgyz State University of Culture and Arts, and the Union of Theatre Artists of Kyrgyzstan, the festival was dedicated this year to the 100th birth anniversary of Bübüsara Beyşenaliyeva.
The festival brought together theatre students from Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. Students from the Department of Theater at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University stood out with their outstanding achievements.
Under the supervision of Canış Kulmanbetov, the students competed in the categories of “Best Dramaturgy” and “Best Theatre Criticism,” winning a total of 7 awards. Meerim Kurbanbekova won first place with her play “Parik,” while Zulayha Akunova secured first place with her work “Les gde poyut tsikady.” Elnura Şabırbekova was awarded second place with her play “Pigmalyon.”
In the field of theatre criticism, Sezim Cumashova won first place with her work titled “A Shot at Belkin’s Tales,” while Begimay Sagalieva received second place for her critique “A Passing Visit to Osh.” Additionally, Myrzayim Termeeva was honored with a jury special award for her work on the play “Ayna,” and Aylina Cenişbekova received a jury special award for her collection of plays.
