Dedicated to the Foundation's 10th anniversary: 2016

The topic of literacy, in its various aspects, is becoming an objective of many of the Foundation's projects. Computer literacy for women and girls, their participation in science and technology, environmental education and enlightenment, creating various communication platforms, sharing knowledge and experience, and exchanging information across the country – were the priorities of the Foundation in 2016.

A lot of attention is paid by the Foundation to supporting the level of accessibility of art, music, literature and folk crafts, both for children and the general public.

As part of the Year of History and Culture announced in 2016 in Kyrgyzstan, the National Centre for Children and Youth "Seitek" held a competition "Festival of Kyrgyz folk games" among pre-school educational institutions in the capital. The competition was held in the following categories: movement games; intellectual games; and finger games (development of motor skills).

The festival of Kyrgyz folk games was organized by the Department of Education of the Mayor's Office of Bishkek and the International Public Foundation "Initiative of Roza Otunbaeva".

The purpose of the event was to promote traditional knowledge and the cultural and historical heritage of the Kyrgyz people and to introduce children to the culture of the Kyrgyz people through the study of folk games.

During the year the radio programme "Genius" continued to be a joint project of the Foundation and Public TV and Radio Corporation. The radio programme was broadcast weekly with the slogan: "Every child can become a genius".

In January 2016, exciting master classes in Chinese applied arts, "Learn more about China!" were held for all young residents and their parents. During these days, children learned how to cut a beautiful pattern from the finest paper, were introduced to the art of Chinese calligraphy, the basics of Chinese painting, learned the history of Chinese opera masks and their significance, could paint a mask for themselves, mastered some movements of the ancient art of Taijiquan and Wushu gymnastics, and also had a lesson in Chinese massage and eye exercises.

In December, the Kyrgyz National Philharmonic and in April, in the cities of Jalalabad, Kara-Suu, Osh and Batken, the premiere of the Tunguch theatre's new musical, The Lotus Girl, based on Chinese fairy tales, took place It is the first performance on the Kyrgyz stage based on Chinese fairy tales. The performances of "Lotus Girl" in Bishkek and in cities of southern regions were organised with the support of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the KR and the "Roza Otunbaeva Initiative" IPF.