Bishkek, March 24, 2026. /Kabar/. The opening ceremony of the first Youth Delphic Games of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states took place at the Toktogul Satylganov Kyrgyz National Philharmonic in Bishkek.
Bishkek Mayor Aibek Dzhunushaliev recalled that Kyrgyzstan has been a participant in these games since 2002. "Until 2022, we were simply participants: our children competed in international games, demonstrated their talents, and won. And since 2022, we've begun hosting the games in Bishkek," he said.
According to him, the first Children's Delphic Games in 2023 were funded from the local budget, meaning that the participants were nationally representative, but this is the first time the municipality itself is funding and organizing these games.
"The main component we can highlight is inclusivity: our children and young people with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in this competition and showcase their talents. Therefore, I think this is a major event in the city's cultural life, and holding such cultural events at the international level also demonstrates the level of growth of our country, our capital," he emphasized.
The mayor added that there are 300 international participants and 400 from Kyrgyzstan, bringing the total to 700.
The program includes eight competitive categories: piano, fine arts, folk singing, pop singing, folk dancing, DJing, folk instruments, and arts and crafts.