At a time when digital characters on smartphone screens continue to dominate the attention of the younger generation, the question of how effectively book characters can compete for their interest remains a pressing concern. The national contest titled "Best Fiction Work for Children" was organized precisely to address this issue and find ways to encourage youth reading through targeted literary works. Out of 198 creative submissions received for the competition, 23 standout works were selected and subsequently published as three distinct literary collections for children and adolescents.
The awarding ceremony for the competition winners took place on October 23 at the Alisher Navoiy Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature. The event was organized through the joint efforts of the Republican Scientific and Methodological Center for Education Development, the Ministry of Education and Science, and the university itself. Participants discussed current challenges in promoting reading habits and the necessity of producing relevant literary content for the younger demographic.
Shaxzodbek Kurbaniyazov, director of the Republican Scientific and Methodological Center for Education Development, noted that instead of simply demanding that children read, it is crucial to create works that align with their age and modern lifestyle. "We demand that children read books, but are we able to adequately offer them works suited to their daily lives? Today's children need new topics, engaging plots, and relatable heroes to draw them into reading," he stated.
University Rector, Academician Shuhrat Sirojiddinov emphasized that books read during childhood remain in a person's memory for a lifetime. According to him, based on the competition results, separate collections have been formed for each age category, resulting in three published volumes. Experts carefully evaluated nearly two hundred entries to select pieces that meet high artistic standards and resonate with young readers' psychological development.
Source: kun.uz