In March 2004 the World League "Mind Free of Drugs" initiated and announced a contest devoted to the salvation mountain Tashtar-Ata as a phenomenon. The main task for contestants was to reflect the philosophy of the mountain and its influence on the minds of those who struggle in combating their addictions.

We received an enormous amount of great work! Amongst contestants were students, teachers, people of different specialities, professionals and amateurs. Each one revealed the philosophy of the mountain from personal, very unique points of view, as reflected in their work.

The jury hesitated and could not choose the best work and the winner! After long debates, everyone came to the conclusion that it would be fair to award first place not to professional but rather to the amateur participants. No doubts existed that professional works had great technical features, but the works sent by amateurs were more attractive through sincerity and desire, perhaps even a little naive at times, but still so pure.

The first place was awarded to Natalia Andrianova, a history teacher at the American University in Central Asia.

The second place was taken by Evgenia Pankova, a web-programmer.

The third place went to Altyn Kapalova, a student of the National Kyrgyz University of Construction, Transport and Architecture.

The winners were awarded special diplomas and monetary prizes. All remaining participants received a consolation prize which was a copy of the book by Professor Jenishbek Nazaraliev. The works can be seen in our gallery below.