MAKHACHKALA, July 27 – RIA "Dagestan". Dagestan leads the North Caucasian Federal District in applications for "Znanie.Premiya — 2026" with 105 submissions as of now. Nationwide, over 5,000 applicants have registered for the award, with the application period remaining open until September.
The most sought-after nominations among Dagestani participants focus on educational activities, preserving national unity and honoring the memory of Fatherland defenders. In the historical memory category, the region is represented by "The History of Heroes and More…" a tourist route dedicated to the 345th Dagestan Rifle Division and memorial sites of Derbent. This project uniquely combines sightseeing excursions with historical enlightenment to educate residents and guests about local contributions to the Great Patriotic War.
"The History of Heroes and More…" merges sightseeing in Derbent with historical education on Dagestan’s defense contributions, offering free excursions on significant dates to make heroic narratives accessible to all residents and visitors.
In the category honoring national unity, Shuanat Abakarova leads educational programs promoting linguistic diversity, civic-patriotic development and constructive dialogue among students, educators and families. Her flagship project "Dialogue of Languages" provides a digital audio library of folk tales from Dagestan ethnic groups and Terek Cossacks, voiced by local schoolchildren. By preserving native tongues and showcasing Russian as a bridge for mutual respect, the platform strengthens both cultural heritage and interethnic cohesion.
According to Maxim Dreval, head of the Russian "Znanie" Society, the sixth season of "Znanie.Premiya" is open for entries, while the team continues to track the progress of previous nominees. Dreval remarked that the award acted as a catalyst for many projects, bringing in more public interest, raising professional profiles, unlocking administrative support and opening up opportunities for new socially impactful work.
All applicants can receive a certificate of participation, while regional prizes will be awarded for the best educator and educational project. A federal Expert Council, comprising diverse specialists from across the country, will compile a shortlist. The winners will be announced at an official ceremony in Moscow attended by senior government officials.