A Contest Titled “Let's Not Forget” Has Been Launched in Support of Kalmyk Folklore

This was announced at a press conference by the director of the republican news agency “Kalmykia,” Tsagan Mukevyuna, and the director of the Center for the Development of the Kalmyk Language, Gennady Korneev. According to the speakers, the joint campaign “Let's Not Forget” is dedicated to the preservation of the native language and the search for people with knowledge of Kalmyk traditions, customs, and folklore. “This contest has long been overdue: the current situation with the Kalmyk language and national culture cannot but trouble those who work with it,” Korneev notes. “That is precisely why this contest is aimed at preserving our cultural heritage, whose riches have come down to us from our ancestors.” The first round of the popular contest was announced today, February 21, and will run until May 20, added the director of RIA “Kalmykia.” To take part in the contest, it is enough to make an audio or video recording on a mobile phone of a retelling of folk lore from the lips of representatives of the older generation. These may be unique songs, tales, proverbs, legends, and epics. “Everything connected with the traditions of the people — for example, how to properly braid a whip, bake bortsog, what sizes the amulet against shulmus ‘Tavilgin modn' comes in,” the historian specified. Contest entries are accepted by email at arbarun@mail.ru. The application must indicate the authorship of the material and the date of its creation. There are no age restrictions for participation; however, the main condition is that the submitted material must be original and in the Kalmyk language. For the duration of the contest, a “hotline” of the Center for the Development of the Kalmyk Language will operate, phone: +7(961)396-44-33. Staff member Alexey Yuryevich Mazanov will answer all questions. Starting May 20, over the course of three months, the contest jury chaired by Yonten Gelong will select the best entries. The most interesting and historically valuable ones will be given priority, the speakers noted. The awarding of the winners will take place on September 5, National Writing Day, in the conference hall of the Central Khurul of Kalmykia. The organizers promise to reward the winners and prize-winners with valuable prizes and diplomas. https://vk.com/video_ext.php?oid=-80266970&id=456239323&hash=62da3bfd7c9e903a