The couple shares that their romance began thanks to the dombyra and art.
Moldaly Azhykulov, born in 1958, spent his childhood in Asylbash. He graduated from the local school and continued his education at the Pedagogical College in Karakol, then returned to his native village, where he became a teacher. He also served in the army.
"While studying at the college, I saw a dombyra with one of the students on the bus. The instrument caught my attention, even though I couldn't see who was holding it. The dombyra had the inscription 'Katyusha,' and that was my first encounter with this musical instrument. Later, when we, a group of students, heard the sound of the dombyra, we went downstairs and saw that my future wife was playing it. It was that very dombyra with the inscription 'Katyusha.' After her performance, I suggested that she draw it, as I was learning to draw at that time. While drawing, I fell in love. That's when our story began. She also fell in love with me, and we dated for two years," he recalls.
Khorlan Beksyrgaeva was born in 1960 in the Kegen district of Almaty region, Kazakhstan. After graduating from school in 1978, she entered the Karakol State Pedagogical Institute, majoring in physics.
Moldaly also adds that his wife graduated from the pedagogical institute in 1983 and began working as a teacher at the Oktyabr School in Sokuluk, where she later became the deputy director. When their children approached the end of the 10th grade, they decided to continue their education in Almaty, as their salaries were not enough for further education. They were well received in Almaty. From 2002 to 2022, he taught visual arts and drawing at School No. 15, while Khorlan taught physics and computer science. They achieved significant success in their work. Khorlan participated in the development of a 12-year educational program that is being implemented in Kazakhstan. She was invited to a teachers' conference in Astana, where she received the Konoev Order No. 1, becoming the first recipient of this new order. Additionally, she was awarded the 'Ulagatty Ustaz' medal for her high achievements in pedagogical activity. She currently continues to teach physics at School No. 4 in Sokuluk.
When they lived in Kazakhstan, the local authorities offered them to choose any plot of land, as they could not provide housing. Moldaly chose a plot near the school, where they were allocated 50 hundredths. They built a house and spent many happy years there, walking to school and using the garden as a path," he recounts.
Khorlan adds that her husband now works at the center for gifted children "Tañ cholpon."
"He is a talented artist, worked as an artist-editor at the 'Aalam' newspaper in Bishkek, and taught at I. Arabaev University. He created covers for books such as 'Brilliant Zhalan,' 'Kyz Kerbez,' 'The Love of the Minister's Daughter,' and illustrated several other publications. He has a natural talent for drawing, for which he has received numerous diplomas and medals. In Kazakhstan, he was awarded the title of 'Eurasian Artist-Designer.' One of his students won a gold medal at the world competition 'Ecology of the Planet,' which is also a credit to my husband," she adds.
"I am convinced that our happy family and many achievements have been made possible by our warmth, love, mutual understanding, and support for each other," Khorlan concluded.
