Modern heroes: Seven Kyrgyzstanis receive Manas - Washington Award

The first Manas — Washington Awards ceremony was held at the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan.

The award is intended to recognize people who can be considered modern national heroes.

«Just as Manas and George Washington dedicated their lives to serving their countrymen, these local heroes are changing the lives of their communities by showing that a free civil society means a better life for all citizens,» the U.S. Ambassador Lesslie Viguerie said.

He awarded local community leaders from each region of Kyrgyzstan for their contribution to education, sports, women’s equality and support for people with disabilities.

The awards were presented to the teacher-innovator from Batken region Gapyr Madaminov, who became the prototype of the hero of the popular Agai series, Dzhalaldin Abduvaliev — two-time Asian champion in paratriathlon, world champion in triathlon in 2022, coach of the only women’s hockey team of the Kyrgyz Republic Salamat Abdrakhmanov, founder of Ak-Zhurok crisis center Darikan Asilbekova, physics teacher from Talas Myskal Sagynbayeva, children’s writer Maksuda Zhumaliyeva and Ulukbek Bakardinov, who defends the rights of people with disabilities.

The award was initiated by the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic and was presented for the first time. It is designed to recognize the people for common values shared by the people of the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic, highlights the positive contribution of prominent representatives of the Kyrgyz civil society.