Essay from Sevara Kuchkarova

Young Central Asian woman with dark hair and a white collared shirt in front of a bunch of books with green covers on a wooden shelf. She's in a white dress shirt and white pants.

Methods to Enhance Motivation in the Educational Process 

Introduction 

Motivation is the internal and external drive of students toward the learning process, directly impacting their success and knowledge level. Based on Self-Determination Theory, “autonomy,” “competence,” and “social connections” play a crucial role in strengthening motivation. Motivation serves as a key driver in the educational process, determining students’ engagement, goal achievement, and success.

Methods to Enhance Motivation

1 Educational Methods

Flipped Classroom: Students study material in advance, while classroom time is dedicated to practical activities, aligning with the ARCS model and boosting motivation.Active Learning: Through methods like peer learning, problem-based learning, and cognitive apprenticeship, students work independently and collaboratively.

2 Psychological Approaches

Autonomy and Choice: When students choose their own materials, their intrinsic motivation increases (Self-Determination Theory).

Conclusion

Motivation in education is enhanced by harmonizing internal factors (autonomy, interest, social connections) and external factors (awards, badges, competition). The effectiveness of inquiry-based learning and active learning has been confirmed by research. Autonomy and reflection guide students toward intrinsic motivation rather than reliance on external factors. Such approaches make lessons meaningful, engaging, and beneficial for both students and educators.

Sevara Kuchkarova is a 3rd year student of Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute.

Poetry from Orinbaeva Dilfuza

Young Central Asian woman with dark brown eyes, black hair up in a bun, small earrings, and a short sleeve blue blouse with a decorative orange and tan collar.

The Beautiful Nature of Spring

You bloom, spreading far and wide,

The trees in gardens, full of pride,

Your flowers speak no word or sound,

In spring, the beauty does abound.

On the trees, the flowers rise,

Pure white, a sight before our eyes,

They look like snowflakes falling near,

In spring, the beauty is so clear.

The rain falls often, soft and light,

Irrigating crops in sight,

The wind blows suddenly and free,

In spring, the beauty’s all we see.

Nature wakes from its long sleep,

Turning golden, calm and deep,

Peace shines in the sky so bright,

In spring, the beauty fills the light.

After rain, a rainbow shows,

Colors that dazzle, as it grows,

It dazzles eyes with every hue,

In spring, the beauty is renewed.

Giorgos Pratzikos interviews Greek artist Konstantinos Fais on his Hercules project

Middle aged European man with reading glasses and a light colored collared shirt in front of water.

Throughout history, there are figures that never fade with time. Figures that, even if born from mythical imagination or ancient philosophical thought, continue to inspire, challenge, and teach. One such figure is Heracles – a hero who didn’t just accomplish twelve labors, but who shaped an entire cultural and ethical worldview across the centuries.

With deep emotion and admiration, Eviasmile today hosts an interview that unfolds Heracles not as a mere myth, but as a multifaceted phenomenon: historical, ethnological, philosophical, artistic, and profoundly human. The artist and researcher Konstantinos Fais, through his visual creations and in-depth study, guides us into the fascinating world of Heracles – from ancient Erytheia to Euboea and the Lichadonisia – proving that this hero is more modern and relevant than ever.

1. I came to know you through Mrs. Eva Petropoulou-Lianou, with whom I’ve been collaborating for the past year. Upon discovering your work, I was deeply moved and thought to engage in an interesting conversation about the Path of Heracles. How did your involvement with Heracles begin?

First of all, I must mention that Mrs. Petropoulou-Lianou is a calm yet powerful force in the realm of culture. Despite her cultural and humanitarian actions evolving on a global scale, she chooses to avoid showiness and unnecessary spectacle.

As for Heracles, although I was fascinated by his myth since childhood, my intensive engagement with the hero began about eight years ago, when I decided to delve into highlighting primarily Greek and broader Mediterranean culture through visual art. A thorough study of Greco-Roman literature – essential for understanding Heracles – introduced me to incredible dimensions of the myth that geographically extend beyond Hellenism, even as it developed during the Second Major Greek Colonization of the Archaic period.

The myth’s excellence became strikingly apparent and admittedly captivated me. Heracles not only survived the fall of the Greek world with the rise of the Roman Empire, but became a symbol of strength and bravery, a tool of political symbolism, and an archetype embraced by emperors. Leaders and entire dynasties in the ancient world claimed descent from him – for example, Leonidas of Sparta was considered his 20th descendant, Alexander the Great his 27th, along with Pyrrhus I of Epirus and Fabius Maximus.

From the fall of the Roman Empire through the Byzantine period, the Renaissance, and the Enlightenment, Heracles of Thebes retains his status as a paragon of chivalry, arriving in our times with undiminished prestige…in such a way that all other heroes pale in comparison.

2. According to your research, do you believe this hero really existed? What can we learn from his mythology and how can it influence modern life?

First, allow me to congratulate you on your bold and deeply thoughtful question. It’s my belief that this most dazzling chapter of Greek Mythology and of Hellenism as a whole contains a strong historical core.

It may be that the myth was inspired by a prominent Greek figure from the Bronze Age, or a succession of notable individuals whose deeds merged into a unified mythological narrative. The ethnological approach, based on Greek and Roman sources starting with Herodorus of Pontus, suggests that there were at least seven mythical figures named Heracles – and the Roman scholar Varro mentions 43! Roman author Mavrus Servius Honoratus notes that even before the Roman Empire, any man of immense strength was dubbed “Heracles” by the Romans.

Of course, there’s also the contrasting theory that the myth is a purely philosophical construct, its interpretation shifting with the times and the author. Regardless, the knowledge and values transmitted through the myth – from archaic and classical antiquity to modern life – constitute undeniable cultural and moral wealth.

The truth is that Heracles’ myth is transformed throughout recorded history: from Homer’s “performer of great deeds,” to the “king of empires from East to West” in Dio Chrysostom, and then to the “benefactor of the people” in John Tzetzes of the 12th century AD. His character evolves fascinatingly.

Consider the myth’s wide reach in the ancient world – from the island of Erytheia west of Tartessos to the Aornis Rock in Asia, from the Hyperboreans to Ethiopia – people everywhere told of his exploits. As for what he teaches us: to purify our soul and follow the path of Virtue requires constant struggle and sacrifice, regardless of origin or status.

Despite his many epic feats, if I were to choose one defining moment of his life, it would be the famous allegory by the sophist Prodicus – the crossroad where Heracles must choose between Virtue and Vice, ultimately choosing Virtue. As Pythagoras also said, it is the difficult tasks that lead to virtue, not the pleasant ones. He called virtue “the law of the gods” and great-heartedness, prudence, and bravery “strong anchors.”

3. In exploring the etymology of the name “Heracles,” I found that it means “the glory of Hera.” But according to mythology, he was pursued by the goddess Hera. How do we reconcile this?

First, it’s worth noting that Heracles was also descended from Perseus and Alcaeus, which is why he was initially called Alcaeus or Alcides, after that ancestor. Mythological accounts differ by era, region, and author.

The version you refer to is explained as follows: Hera, to punish Zeus’s infidelity, sent two snakes to kill the infant Heracles. I’m fond of the astronomical detail from Theocritus of Syracuse, who wrote that “on the night the Bear [Ursa Major] tilted westward, two snakes with sparkling eyes, dark venom, and terrible fangs charged at Heracles.” Yet the baby strangled them with ease and, when Amphitryon entered the room in a panic, Heracles joyfully tossed the dead serpents at his foster father’s feet.

Another “earthly” version from Pherecydes of Athens claims it was Amphitryon himself who placed the snakes in the cradle to see which child was his own. When the people of Argos learned what had happened, they gave the boy the name “Heracles” – meaning he earned glory (kleos) because of Hera.

Another version: after Hera drove him mad, causing him to kill his own family, Heracles sought purification at the Oracle of Delphi. There, the Pythia gave him the name Heracles – “he who glorifies Hera” – as a form of spiritual redemption.

If we set aside Hera, there are other theories. Diodorus Siculus says the Heracles of Zeus and Alcmene – “the third and final one, who lived just before the Trojan War” – inherited the name from two earlier figures: the Cretan Idaean Heracles and an Egyptian Heracles. Because he lived a similar life to theirs, it was believed that “through all the ages, there was only one Heracles.” This is part of what we call the “ethnological prism” of Heracles.

Lastly, the philosopher Porphyry wrote in On Statues that Heracles was a name for the Sun, from klasthai pros ton aera – “to move toward the air,” symbolizing the sun’s journey from east to west, which purifies the Earth of evil. Thus, the twelve labors were linked mythologically to the zodiac cycle.

And regarding Hera’s jealousy: ironically, it was her milk that made Heracles immortal and created the Milky Way. This strange twist, as Diodorus puts it, shows how his birth mother abandoned him out of fear, while the source of his fear – his stepmother – unwittingly gave him divine nourishment.

4. I’ve volunteered for over nine years supporting people with disabilities. Could you share a bit about your artwork and your collaboration with the Lighthouse for the Blind?

Allow me once again to express my sincere admiration for your work. That collaboration was a unique and truly profound experience for me. It’s a real challenge for a visual artist to create for those with visual impairments, as sight is a primary mode of receiving information.

I had to carefully select the appropriate artistic pieces to fulfill this goal. We raised the bar for knowledge through Art and ancient literature because inclusion is a social imperative without boundaries. The first piece adapted into tactile format through the pioneering PIAF method was a portrait of Heracles.

5. Through your artistic perspective, can we find the path of Virtue that Heracles followed?

Regarding my art, I can confidently say that it is an effort to highlight our sacred and ancient heritage through each work – the result not only of long-term research but also of selfless love for our heroic and genealogical lineage.

From our modern elders to the ancients, our legacy is unified, and I believe we must respect it and build our future upon its timeless teachings. That said, distancing myself from narrow ideologies or opportunism, I believe it is up to each person to interpret visual stimuli in ways that serve both personal and collective good.

Greed, excess, and superficial modern lifestyles have caused spiritual atrophy in humanity – what Periander once called a “burdensome inheritance.” As Thucydides said, “Without courage, no art holds power over danger.” Food for thought…

6. On your social media, I noticed some of your works have been animated through AI. Can you tell me more about that?

Yes, depending on the context, I was initially hesitant – even skeptical – about artificial intelligence. But I eventually gave in to curiosity and experimented a bit. I must admit, I was impressed with the results.

However, as an artist rooted in classical and Hellenistic styles, I’ll approach this realm with great caution. We “old-school” researchers and artists still say nothing compares to the “smell of paper.” I’m in favor of progress, of course – but with respect for our roots and ethical framework.

7. While writing this interview, I thought schools could organize activities to help students learn about Heracles and draw life lessons from him. What do you think of this idea?

It’s an excellent idea – the real question is whether the authorities are willing to implement it with maturity and vision, as the greatest hero deserves. If we continue to treat Greek mythology – and Heracles in particular – merely as bedtime stories, there’s little hope for serious progress.

Heracles is an epic saga that’s been burning bright for 3,000 years. Interpreting his myth requires a multidimensional approach, and to incorporate it into education effectively demands thoughtful planning.

It should begin with simple storytelling at the early stages, then gradually delve into primary sources and the myth’s historical evolution – from Antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, to the 19th-century comparative theories and 20th-century psychoanalytical and structuralist interpretations.

Higher education institutions should also take this more seriously. As far as I know, that’s not yet happening. For any such attempt to bear fruit, wisdom and care are essential.

8. Before we conclude this wonderful discussion, is there a final message you’d like to share with Eviasmile readers?

This truly was a beautiful discussion. I’d like to share a myth related to your island. Beyond Heracles’ connection to the healing springs of Aidipsos, tradition tells us that after he conquered Oechalia and took Iole, the daughter of the city’s king, they went to Euboea – to Cape Cenaeum – where he built an altar to Cenaean Zeus.

To offer a sacrifice, he sent a herald, Lichas, to nearby Trachis to bring him his ceremonial robe. However, Lichas revealed the whole affair to Heracles’ wife, Deianira, who, overcome with jealousy, gave him the tunic soaked with Nessus’ blood.

Heracles wore it to perform the sacrifice, but the poison seeped into his flesh, causing it to rot. In pain and rage, he hurled Lichas into the Euboean Sea. From the fragments of Lichas’ body, the Lichadonisia islands were said to be formed.

The Italian sculptor Antonio Canova immortalized this scene with a technique equal to Hellenistic sculpture over 200 years ago. Today, one can admire this neoclassical masterpiece at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome.

On a related note, I’m also intrigued by the Lelantine War of your island, as recorded by Thucydides – one of the defining events of early Greek history.

In conclusion, I’m truly pleased that Eviasmile has shown such genuine interest in Heracles and the glories of our ancestors through this wonderful interview. Euboea’s rich legacy must be preserved and promoted through coordinated effort.

This interview is not merely a conversation about Heracles – it is a journey into the essence of Virtue, Courage, Sacrifice, and Faith. Our guest, with grace, depth, and a deep sense of cultural duty, reminds us that the past is not dust on library shelves, but a guide toward a more meaningful future.

Eviasmile is honored to host voices that respect tradition, elevate our cultural identity, and inspire new generations to walk – like Heracles – the difficult but redemptive path of Virtue. Because ultimately, every heroic deed begins with one question: “What kind of person do you want to become?”

Poetry from Maki Starfield

水心詩篇

  1. 言葉のささやき(スコールとの共鳴)

言葉がささやく

スコールの音に混じって、

タイ語が空気を切り裂く前に

既にそこに存在している、と。

市場のドリアンの香りを超えて、

言葉は染みついた足跡を残していく。

言葉がささやく

聞け、雨宿りの軒下で、と。

ここにあったものは

オーブン並みの暑さの残響だ。

静寂を得よ、

托鉢の時間に静かにあれ。

言葉を受け取り、「サワディー・クラップ」と言ってみよ。

言葉を超えて、言葉はひとつの傷

そこからチャオプラヤーが流れ続ける。

言葉がささやく

アロイ、マイ・アロイ、アロイ、 マイ・アロイ。

言葉がささやく

ナムチャイ。

言葉がささやく

来て、一緒に話そう、 触れ合おう、来て。

言葉がささやく

「プート・タイ・マイ・ダイ」と。

2.ここにも

スントーンプーに捧げる

この胸の奥で震えるものは何なのか、

あなたという名前のない存在に

どのような言葉を捧げればよいのか?

タイの夕暮れ、甘い喜びの記憶

マンゴスチンの香りが風に舞い

エメラルドの海が永遠を歌う――

かすかな霊的な予感が

蝶のように心に舞い降りて

あなたの面影の前で

私は静寂の祈りとなる。

私の瞳に映る黄昏の光

唇に残る塩の味わい

股間に宿る生命の熱

手のひらに宿る大地の温もり…

そして心は、愛しい人よ

心はどこに隠れているのか?

ここにも、そこにも、あそこにも

あなたの存在が波紋のように広がり

すべての場所に、すべての瞬間に

あなたの唇の記憶が

やわらかく触れてくる。

バンコクの朝の詩篇(スコールの祝福)

i) 既にここに

朝、そしてバンコクは 既にここにある。

私たちは一緒に到着した アソーク駅に

日本の少女たち

その名は「ナムチャイ」と「カムホーン」。

ii) スコールの歌

疲れることなく

朝の混沌を讃え、

スコールの音が

都市の眠りを引き裂く

天然のエアコンの祝福として。

iii) ただ

ただ菩提樹のたてがみが

光と闇の間に引かれた線をぼかす

ただ心がその境界を曖昧にする

マンゴスチンとドリアンの間を。

iv) 顔

静かで熱い風が肌を撫で、

夜明けの光が葉に優しく横たわる

バンコクは

ゆっくりと、目覚めていく。

至る所で

人々の姿が現れる。

v) 通して

窓辺のバナナの木、

ノート、ペン、光の火花。

花と緑のカーテンを通して、

トゥクトゥクの音、

街の人々の「アロイ!」という声。

1. Whispers of Words (Resonance with the Squall)

Words whisper—

blending into the sound of the squall,

already existing

before Thai slices through the air.

Beyond the durian scent of the market,

words leave behind a trace,

a stain of footsteps.

Words whisper—

“Listen, beneath the eaves of shelter.”

What was here

was the lingering echo

of oven-like heat.

Seek silence,

be still at the hour of alms.

Receive the word and try saying:

“Sawasdee krap.”

Beyond words,

words are a wound

from which the Chao Phraya keeps flowing.

Words whisper—

“Aroi, mai aroi, aroi, mai aroi.”

Words whisper—

“Namjai.”

Words whisper—

“Come, let’s speak,

let’s touch,

come.”

Words whisper—

“Puut Thai mai dai.”

2. Here, Too

*Dedicated to Sunthorn Phu*

What trembles deep within this chest—

what words can I offer

to your nameless presence?

A Thai twilight,

memories of sweet joy.

The scent of mangosteen dances in the wind,

an emerald sea sings of forever—

A faint spiritual premonition

descends like a butterfly into my heart.

Before the trace of you,

I become a prayer of silence.

The twilight reflected in my eyes,

the taste of salt lingering on my lips,

the heat of life dwelling at my loins,

the warmth of earth resting in my palms…

And still, my heart—

my dear,

where does the heart hide?

Here, there, and beyond,

your presence ripples out like rings on water.

In every place, in every moment,

the memory of your lips

gently touches me.

**Morning Psalms of Bangkok (Blessings of the Squall)**

i) Already Here

Morning—

and Bangkok is already here.

We arrived together

at Asoke Station.

Two Japanese girls:

Namjai and Khamhon by name.

ii) Song of the Squall

Tirelessly,

it praises the morning’s chaos—

the squall’s sound

tears through the city’s sleep

as a blessing,

nature’s air conditioner.

iii)Simply

Simply,

the mane of the bodhi tree

softens the line between light and shadow.

Simply,

the heart blurs the boundary

between mangosteen and durian.

iv) Faces

A quiet, hot wind brushes the skin.

Dawn’s light gently lies on the leaves.

Bangkok

slowly,

begins to awaken.

Everywhere—

faces begin to appear.

v) Through

By the window,

a banana tree,

a notebook, a pen,

and sparks of light.

Through curtains

of flowers and green,

the sound of tuk-tuks,

and voices in the street

shouting, “Aroi!”

Poetry from Alan Catlin

Inspired by the photos of Eugene Meatyard

Abstraction: chalk with nails

lying one against the other

amid layers of dust

settled beneath eraser clapped,

chalk marked

board,

both nail and chalk

ten penny sized,

one blunt & reused many times,

the others hard & permanent,

unscathed

& a child’s hand nearby

poised to choose

one or the other

Boy wearing white mask beneath broken mirror

hung at adult height

for easy viewing

what is no longer there

The boy’s horror mask

conceals what he might be

feeling,

creates the suggestion that

something might lie

beneath

or within:

the boy and the image

of the boy

wearing a white mask beneath a broken mirror

in a marked

for demolition

home

Two boys, one seeing through a hole in the wall

the other

in profile

in another ruined room

The peeling wallpaper,

the dropped ceiling

where someone fell through,

random piles of dust and debris

broken shards of glass

for trapping the sun’s last light

Boy holding shard of glass before face

When a mirror breaks

where do all

the images it once

contained go?

Are they set free to wander as memories

or is their liberation a kind of

banishment?

A punishment for trusting

such an inconstant medium

as glass?

Only the boy holding a shard

of glass before his face

knows

Boy with two rubber masks climbing rock

one covering his face,

as he climbs

the rock wall,

finger tips grasping

the next hold,

right leg testing where

the left one should go,

the other mask

hanging from a belt loop

in his pants,

its features drawn,

deflated,

as the empty eyes sockets,

nose holes,

the downturned mouth,

with no words left to express

Romance for Ambrose Bierce #3

after Gene Meatyard

Deliberately placed about

the outdoor scene are

painted numbers like

evidence cards for forensic

reasons like markers at a crime scene

randomly spaced on these

rude wooden viewing stands,

bleachers for outdoor events

children dressed for this late Fall

afternoon’s entrainment

wearing sweaters, corduroy pants,

jackets, turtlenecks relaxing,

waiting for second half, quarter,

next event, whatever follows once

shadows lengthen, their grotesque

rubber masks visible after dark

when nothing else is.

Poetry from Dilnoza Islamova

Young Central Asian woman with straight dark hair and brown eyes and a light tan blouse seated on a blue couch

My Friend

A world wrapped in beauty,

Nature’s gift is endless and free.

My friend, tell me — why so silent?

You were created, undoubtedly, to be.

Be grateful, stand in prayer,

Recite remembrance and blessings each day.

To our Lord, a thousand times,

Send endless praise without delay.

Have you never stopped to ponder

The reason why you were born here?

Strive for the gardens of Paradise —

Now is the time to act sincere.

I am Dilnoza Islamova, born on February 21, 2008, in the Tortkul district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. I am currently a school student. I have actively participated in numerous projects organized both at school and on social media platforms, and I continue to be involved in such activities to this day.

During my time at school, I have taken part in various academic olympiads, competitions, and creative projects, demonstrating my knowledge and talent. I have a particular interest in literature, English, and computer science. Additionally, I actively engage in social media initiatives that aim to promote positive thinking, spirituality, and a love of knowledge among young people.

In the future, I aspire to work tirelessly on improving myself and to become a highly qualified specialist who contributes to the development of my country and the well-being of its people.

Poetry from Hassan Mistura

No Patience For Self Doubt 

The first time my inner voice spoke she whispered.

Her voice was soft, kind and convincing.

She said, “Not yet.”

And I listened I blew at that tiny flame inside of me and it went out. 

The second time my inner voice spoke,

she brought with her a friend 

She introduced him as Anxiety.

His voice was stern, domineering, unyielding.

When he spoke, my hands shook

Beads of sweat gathered on my forehead, and my heart pounded violently.

He said, “You will fail.” And I believed him. 

Then, self-doubt held my hand and cooed,”

You’ll fail now, but not next time.” 

I liked her gentler voice.

So I nodded and waited 

Only, next time, she brought a friend, Fear,

Then anotherPerfectionism,

Then another Comparison,

Then another…Until I lost count. 

Now, she doesn’t even speak anymore

I no longer need convincing.

There’s no flame left to snuff out, no sprouting seed to kill.

I’m an accessory in a room,

clapping for those who never had patience for self doubt.