Sakha Azbuka takes third place at Eurasia prize and joins IBBY–UNESCO collection

Anna Maksimova, author of the children's book "Sakha Azbuka", won third place in the "Art of Teaching" nomination of the international Eurasia prize, according to YSIA. The book has also been included in the IBBY–UNESCO collection of outstanding children's books in indigenous languages.

The Eurasia prize was established by ANO "Eurasia" in partnership with Rossotrudnichestvo. It supports projects that promote cooperation between states and the preservation of spiritual and moral values, culture and historical memory. In 2026 the prize includes ten nominations.

The IBBY–UNESCO collection includes 170 of 500 editions, published in more than 150 languages. Experts assessed their artistic and literary quality and their contribution to preserving and reviving languages. The book appears in the official catalogue as "Sakha Alphabet", on page 88.

Maksimova, who trained as an architect, was born in Yakutsk, grew up in Mirny and has lived in Moscow for many years. During lockdown she returned to old notes she had used to teach her son the Yakut language and decided to realise a long-held idea of creating a Yakut primer.