Translated with AI
On January 1, 2026, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon signed orders to hold the republican competitions "Tojikiston – Watani azizi man", "Ilm – furugi ma'rifat" and "Furugi subhi donoi kitob ast" in 2026, the press service of the head of state reported.
The commentary to the President's orders notes that in the modern world, where the rapid and unprecedented development of science and knowledge, engineering and technology, artificial intelligence, and the popularization of culture and literature are its outstanding features, education, skills development, and the protection of national values have acquired paramount and vital importance.
The modern age – the age of science and knowledge, discoveries and inventions, the latest technology and techniques – is a period of progress and development of nations and peoples who are educated, knowledgeable, innovative and inventive.
Thanks to independence and freedom, complete peace, stability, and national unity, our beloved Tajikistan has created all the necessary conditions and opportunities for science and education of the younger generation, for the comprehensive development of national culture and art.
Culture and art are the primary means of comprehensively presenting a vibrant national image and the true foundation for shaping society's aesthetic education. Our people are known worldwide as a cultural nation, and over the years of independence, numerous measures have been implemented to preserve and enhance cultural values. The national competition "Tojikistan – Watani Azizi Man" is also a continuation of these targeted efforts.
For the eighth year in a row, this competition has been held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, with the aim of identifying new talents in the fields of music, vocal performance, fine arts, and design, and selecting the best examples of music and songwriting, as well as works of fine art reflecting the past and present culture of the Tajik people.
In 2026, the total prize fund and competition expenses will amount to 8,260,000 (eight million two hundred sixty thousand) somoni, an increase of 580,000 somoni compared to 2025, when 7,680,000 somoni was allocated. Thus, the Grand Prix winners will receive a cash prize of 100,000 somoni, while the first, second, and third place winners will receive 70,000, 50,000, and 30,000 somoni, respectively.
Another change to the competition was the division of the academic genre of the "Performance" category into two parts, allowing participants to demonstrate their abilities in playing national and European musical instruments. Taking these changes into account, the number of winners in 2026 will reach 143.
In order to accelerate the formation of an effective system for supporting and developing the mathematical, exact, and natural sciences, to strengthen the influence of scientific knowledge on the development of the country's vital sectors, to increase the effectiveness of scientific knowledge and the implementation of innovative technologies, digitalization, and the rational use of artificial intelligence, as well as to integrate scientific and technological potential into priority areas of the country's socio-economic development, under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, the national competition "Ilm – Furugi Marifat" has been held for six years.
In 2026, this competition will also be held within the framework of the implementation of the goals of the "Twenty Years of Study and Development of Natural, Exact, and Mathematical Sciences in Science and Education" with the aim of strengthening technical thinking, popularizing a scientific worldview, expanding access to modern technology and engineering, developing invention and innovation, digitalization and the correct use of artificial intelligence, integrating science with industry, engaging pupils, students, and other segments of society in the comprehensive study of mathematics, exact, and natural sciences, and identifying and presenting new talent in these areas.
To further improve and strengthen the competition, as well as ensure transparency in the process, amendments and additions have been made to the Competition Regulations. Specifically, a national competition portal has been developed, which manages the entire competition process, posts information about participants and winners, and conducts jury surveys.
In addition, knowledge testing of participants in the fourth round of the competition is first carried out through the National Testing Center, and then in front of a jury, which is why the mechanisms for determining the winners have been strengthened.
Taking into account the changes made, the total amount of funds allocated for holding the competition and rewarding its winners is 9,870,000 (nine million eight hundred and seventy thousand) somoni, which is 650 thousand somoni more than in 2025, when 9,220,000 (nine million two hundred and twenty thousand) somoni were allocated for holding this competition.
The competition, held from 2021 to 2025, demonstrated a significant increase in interest among young people and adolescents in studying mathematics, science, and the natural sciences, creating a foundation for identifying and training highly qualified engineering and technical specialists.
It should be especially noted that, as in previous years, in 2026, under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, the republican competition "Furugi subhi donoi kitob ast" will be held. This competition is aimed at increasing interest in reading, strengthening intellectual potential, identifying new talented speakers and connoisseurs of words, respect for national and cultural values, developing creative abilities, strengthening a sense of self-awareness and national identity, expanding vocabulary, and promoting the development of the spiritual world of society.
To further improve and strengthen the competition process and provide more active incentives for participants, amendments were made to the Competition Regulations in 2026, dividing students from general education institutions and primary vocational education institutions into three age groups instead of two. Thus, this year, the competition is being held among primary school students from general education institutions (grades 1–4), students from general education institutions (grades 5–8), as well as students from general education institutions (grades 9–11) and primary vocational education institutions.
Taking into account the changes made, the total amount of funds allocated for holding the competition and rewarding its winners is 8,290,000 (eight million two hundred ninety thousand) somoni, which is 1 million 620 thousand somoni more than in 2025, when 6,670,000 (six million six hundred seventy thousand) somoni were allocated for holding this competition.
Thus, a total of 26 million 420 thousand somoni will be allocated from the reserve fund of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan for holding the said competitions in 2026.
These competitions, a continuation of the educational and cultural policies of Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon, help inspire society and foster a desire to gain knowledge, study the timeless works of outstanding sons of the nation, and develop national and world culture and art. Thousands of teenagers and young people, winning thanks to their knowledge and talent, clearly demonstrate that they are a worthy generation of the Motherland.
