When I recall my distant school days, one event never leaves my memory. Our school primarily focused on subjects such as mathematics and physics, as there were more teachers for those subjects. Due to a lack of teachers for native language, literature, and history, teachers from the fields of mathematics or biology would often teach these subjects instead. Often, lessons of native language and literature were replaced with physics and mathematics classes.
One day, a native language and literature teacher arrived from a faraway village to our dear school. Although no one had seen the new teacher yet, the whole village was buzzing with talk about her. There were rumors circulating that she was “very strict,” that she would “kick any student out of class who didn’t participate,” or that she would “keep us in class until the evening.” Finally, the much-anticipated moment arrived. A teacher, who seemed to be in her early twenties or mid-twenties, entered our classroom, accompanied by the director. She had a pleasant demeanor, a good posture, and a smile on her face. The director introduced the teacher, wishing us success in the new academic year before leaving the class.
All twenty students in the class couldn’t take their eyes off the teacher. Our native language and literature teacher, with great kindness, read our names from the class journal and went through each one of us, introducing herself. Thus, our first lesson became an introductory session. Our new teacher made an effort to conduct lessons in a simpler and more engaging manner. We, the model students, believed that the subjects of native language and literature were not particularly difficult.
Soon, the lesson processes began. One day, our favorite teacher assigned us to write an essay about our favorite character. We all completed the assignment and submitted it to the teacher. During the next lesson, our teacher reviewed the essays, corrected them, and returned them to us. Almost all of us received very low grades. Our notebooks were marked with red ink, indicating that grammatical mistakes had been corrected. For some reason, many of us wrote poorly and unclearly. Whispers and noisy expressions of surprise began in the classroom. Even the top students in the class received bad grades.
One classmate, despite his poor handwriting, insisted on the importance of writing without mistakes, while others argued that the minor punctuation errors did not count as significant mistakes. Sensing the wave of discussions rising in the class, our teacher finally spoke up, as always in a calm but serious tone, “Dear students! Writing without mistakes reflects one’s literacy. Beautiful handwriting demonstrates valuable moral qualities. Writing poorly, with spelling mistakes, does not suit you. Such shortcomings must be addressed.” We all sat in silence. The lesson ended in that manner.
After the lessons, the upper-grade students scattered to their respective homes. Some were searching for something in books late at night, pondering how to write without mistakes. Others tried to emulate the elegant letters they saw in books to improve their handwriting. Meanwhile, some of us, as if pretending to be bankrupt business people or bosses who had made mistakes somewhere, watched television. Others, disregarding it, felt that this issue was not a matter of life and death. Deep down, they were agitated and embarrassed. Each of us wrestled with the question of “How could I have made so many mistakes in my writing?” It troubled our conscience to be in high school yet make so many errors. Everyone hoped that this process would pass more quickly.
Gulsora Mulikboyeva, 4th-year student of the “Life Safety in Activities” program at Samarkand State University of Architecture and Construction.
When rain fell before, we’d sing with delight, But now when it rains, we feel lost in the night. The streets turn to mud, and we stay inside, Bored through the day, with nowhere to hide. Oh, rain in your shower, please cease your parade, Let joy return back, let the sun’s warmth invade.
Fort Lauderdale Beach Promenade. The award-winning wave wall and signature beachfront promenade highlight Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous coastline, which is punctuated by an array of shops, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and entertainment venues. The Milwaukee Art Museum is an architectural wonder overlooking Lake Michigan. The wings open with the Museum, flap at noon, and close at 10 p.m. Lights illuminate the wings every night from sundown until 10 p.m.Fort Lauderdale, Florida is known as the “Venice of America” because of its many scenic waterways and canals. It has 165 miles of inland waterways that wind through the city. The city is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. I can see this drawbridge being raised and lowered numerous times every day from my fourth-floor balcony. Though it is a constant presence in my life, there is something majestic about it every time, making my day less mundane. Bonnet House Museum and Gardens. In the orchid house. Nestled among miles of beachfront development are 35 acres of a pristine barrier island ecosystem that make up the Bonnet House estate: the main house, outbuildings, and extensive grounds. Situated along Fort Lauderdale Beach, it has one of the finest orchid collections in the United States, wading birds in the freshwater lake, and a lily pond: the campus is lush and beautiful. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic places.Disturbing image on the Bonnet House grounds. Backlit by sunlight the fallen coconuts appear to me like skulls in darkness.
« Nos cœurs sont pleins de printemps, vivre est une prière que seul l’union des hommes peut exaucer » Rachida Belkacem
“Our hearts are full of spring, living is a prayer fulfilled only through men’s union”
« Le ciel n’est pas sans mémoire, nos vies l’emplissent de notre courage intense et notre humanité. »Rachida Belkacem.
“The sky is not without memories, our lives fill it with intense courage and humanity”
« Tu naquis le jour de mon crépuscule,
La lueur éclairant mon chemin,
Me tendant la main,
Faisant éclore d’un geste les fleurs,
Transformant chaque combat,
Par ta présence épurant le monde,
Le transformant en bénédiction divine »
“You are born the day of my dusk,
The light shining on my path,
Handing me your hand,
Making flowers blossom with a gesture,
Transforming every combat,
Purifying the world through your presence
And transforming it to a divine blessing
Les secrets de l’appartenance
Certains regards ne sont pas d’aujourd’hui, Ils reflètent un ailleurs lointain, Une histoire, Une vision portant les âmes de nos ancêtres, Certains sont plus puissants que d’autres, Plus souverains, Ce sont des guides, Que les hommes appellent suppléments d’âme. Ce regard est libre, s’affranchit des exigences de l’instant. Témoin de nos amnésies diurnes.
The secrets of belonging
Some looks are not from today, They reflect a distant elsewhere, A history, A vision carrying the souls of our ancestors, Some are more powerful than others, More sovereign, They are guides, That men call soul supplements. This look is free, frees itself from the demands of the moment. Witness to our diurnal amnesias.
Sonorités intérieures
J’ai caché des fleurs dans tes silences, Ton absence me murmure intensément : rien ne dure, Tout continue d’exister, Il su’it d’apprendre à voir, Je me laisse envahir par les notes de ta voix, Un murmure fragile, chargé de vérité, Hypnotique et onirique, J’y crois. Je n’ai pas le choix, Je te porte en moi, J’ai caché des fleurs dans tous les silences, Elles me parlent d’éternité dans l’éphémère. Je n’ai pas le choix, J’y crois.
Inner sounds
I have hidden flowers in your silences, Your absence whispers to me intensely: nothing lasts, Everything continues to exist, It is enough to learn to see, I let myself be invaded by the notes of your voice, A fragile whisper, full of truth, Hypnotic and dreamlike, I believe in it. I have no choice, I carry you within me, I have hidden flowers in all the silences, They speak to me of eternity in the ephemeral. I have no choice, I believe in it.
I was born in Hauts-de-France, live in Ile-de-France, graduated in occupational health from the University of Paris-Est Créteil. I have been involved in the world of culture in France and Morocco for several years.
A former radio columnist, I was decorated with the High Badges of the Divine Academy in Paris in 2018 and in 2021 with the title of Grand Ambassador of Culture and the Arts for my investment in the field of international culture. In 2020, I had the pleasure of being a member of the jury for the literary prize “D’ailleurs et d’ici” when it was created by Marc Cheb Sun.
My first novel “La révolte des secrets” was published in January 2020. I collaborated on the book “Morocco de quoi ont-nous peur” under the direction of Abdelhak Najib and Noureddine Bousefiha Editions Orion. True to my dual French and Moroccan culture, I was chosen and featured in the art book “Le temps des femmes libres” by Abdelhak Najib alongside 150 committed and inspiring women in Morocco and the diaspora. A book dedicated to women, to all Moroccan women who have marked their time, women who distinguish themselves through their journeys and their paths in life.
In 2021, I published in France a collection of poetry “Phronésis” Editions Mindset, (Illustrations Ilham Laraki Omari painter). It has been available on the mindset, Amazon, Fnac websites and in all bookstores in France since July 2021. In 2022, I also participated in the international literature event in January, a literature festival where life meets literature: “Panorama International Literature Festival 2022” representing France. I also participated in the Paris-France event, placed under the theme “Morocco, land of cultures and arts” at the Fondation Maison du Maroc – FMDM as an author and speaker.
I had the privilege of exhibiting and signing my books at the famous and prestigious Carrousel du Louvre in Paris in April 2022 with Divine Académie. On October 8, 2023, I received the literary prize “Coup de cœur” at the book fair in the city of Soissons in France for my collection of poetry “Phronesis”. A fair paying tribute to women and writing.” This literary journey led me to be appointed President of the René Depestre literary prize in 2023 for Editions Milot and the Adventus Nova association in Paris, a prize to pay tribute to the illustrious writer René Depestre whose work remains a source of light. A unique international prize allowing authors from all continents visibility and spotlighting. The strength of this prize is to bring an audience together with a work, regardless of the country.
A commitment with an international dimension that honors me. In 2024, I preface and participate in the collective work Poésie: Luttes et Combats published by Milot, a collective work under the direction of Amar Benhamouche, a reflection by authors of different sensibilities on the place of poetry today and tomorrow. Finally, I participated in several book signing sessions with readings and spoke at numerous conferences in France and abroad. I remain on humanist themes with an attraction to nature, women, and their connection to the world.
In the beautiful city of Samarkand, there was a highly qualified teacher named Jasur at School No. 81. From a young age, he had been passionate about chemistry, and through his diligence and aspirations, he had become a teacher who dedicated himself to sharing his favorite subject with his students. His classes were different from ordinary lessons. Jasur referred to chemistry as magic and taught his students to look at it from this perspective.
“Today, we will create magic together,” Jasur announced one day as he entered the classroom. The students’ eyes widened in surprise. Jasur showcased his small, yet well-equipped table. On it were various flasks, test tubes, chemical substances, and several intriguing devices.
“I’m going to share a secret with you,” Jasur continued, “Chemistry is real magic. We combine different substances and create new and extraordinary things. We change colors, release gases, and even make it rain artificially.”
The students were left in awe. Jasur demonstrated the first experiment. He mixed several colored solutions and observed how their colors changed. Then he combined a few substances to create a foamy and colorful liquid. The students’ exclamations filled the classroom.
“This is not magic; this is chemistry,” Jasur explained. “We just need to understand the properties of the substances and combine them correctly. If we follow the laws of chemistry, we can create any magic!”
Jasur’s classes were interesting and exciting. He allowed the students to conduct various experiments, teaching them how to work with chemical substances, while also helping them make their own discoveries.
One day, Jasur proposed an experiment called “Magical Crystals.” They dissolved different salts in water and then cooled them slowly to create beautiful crystals. The students’ eyes shone with wonder and curiosity. They were thrilled to see the crystals they had created.
Jasur’s classes made chemistry more engaging and understandable for his students. They began to view chemistry not just as a subject, but as an exciting and extraordinary world. Jasur inspired his students with his chemical magic and helped them enhance their knowledge.
I’ll try and enjoy it as long as this beautiful feeling exists that makes me happy
The ideas
Ideas are spinning in my head at full speed.
It is an endless number of flashes and images
That become humanitarian realities
It is an infinite sea That the universe provides me
To give light to all those who work culturally.
Mirta Liliana Ramírez has been a poet and writer since she was 12 years old. She has been a Cultural Manager for more than 35 years. Creator and Director of the Groups of Writers and Artists: Together for the Letters, Artescritores, MultiArt, JPL world youth, Together for the letters Uzbekistan 1 and 2. She firmly defends that culture is the key to unite all the countries of the world. She works only with his own, free and integrating projects at a world cultural level. She has created the Cultural Movement with Rastrillaje Cultural and Forming the New Cultural Belts at the local level and also from Argentina to the world.
