A Turmush correspondent conducted an interview with her.
She was born in 2004 in the village of Suluu-Maymak in the Manas district of the Talas region.
“My parents and ancestors are Turks. We are descendants of those who were deported in 1944 during Stalin's time. Our ancestors founded the village of Suluu-Maymak and stayed there. I studied at a rural school until the 3rd grade, after which we moved to Talas, where I studied until the 11th grade. My grades were high, I participated in Olympiads, read the epic ‘Manas’, and took part in the television program ‘Manas taanuu’, reaching the republican stage in 2019-2021,” she said.
After finishing school, Meerim worked for a year and then married a Turkish man. They have two daughters, and even while being married, she actively represented her village at language festivals and received letters of appreciation. “I speak Turkish, Kyrgyz, and Russian fluently,” she added.
Meerim talked about how she learned the Kyrgyz language and its significance for her.
“People often ask: ‘How did you learn Kyrgyz?’. I didn’t learn it; I grew up with it. Born and raised in Kyrgyzstan, I consider Kyrgyz my second native language. At school, among friends, and in life, I spoke it, absorbing the culture from childhood. Therefore, speaking this language is natural and pleasant for me,” she noted.
In addition, Meerim discussed the commonalities and distinctive features of Kyrgyz and Turkish cultures.
“I feel like a connecting link between the two cultures. There are many similarities in the traditions of both peoples, especially in hospitality and respect for elders. The differences only enrich. For example, Kyrgyz celebrations and the tradition of serving meat are close to me, just as the Turkish evening tea gatherings are sacred to me. I try to integrate the best aspects of both cultures into my daily life,” she said.
“I married a person of my nationality, and in our family, we observe Turkish traditions, but we also value the values of Kyrgyzstan, where I grew up. I want my children to receive a good upbringing and respect both cultures,” she emphasized.
M. Kavazova shared her current activities and future plans.
“My main goal at the moment is to maintain well-being in the family and provide a good upbringing for my children.
However, I do not limit myself to just household duties and strive to develop in modern directions. I am interested in creating quality content for social media and blogging about life where two cultures intersect.
My future plans are to develop the blog, share useful information, and implement personal projects. I always strive for movement and learning new things.
I also dream of creating a family business or engaging in activities that benefit society. The most important thing for me is to not forget my roots and live a dignified life,” she concluded.
