"Crystal Pen - 2026": who became the laureate of the competition and received the grand prize - a car

      In Tatarstan, the "Crystal Pen" was awarded: over 200 applications were submitted for the competition

      Innovations of the "Crystal Pen"

      The republican competition in the field of journalism and mass media "Bälyr kaläm" – "Crystal Pen" was held in Tatarstan for the 29th time this year. Today, a solemn award ceremony for the winners took place in Kazan at the cultural and entertainment complex "Pyramid." Compared to 2025, the "Crystal Pen" competition in 2026 has changed significantly. Not only editorial offices but also government bodies, municipalities, and legal entities were able to submit works for it. The prize amounts were also increased. The nominations were transformed as well. The organizers focused not only on classic editorial offices but also on modern media formats – bloggers, author media projects, and personal brands of journalists. Instead of the nominations "Best in Profession" and "Popular Blogger," new categories such as "Journalist of the Year," "Best Blogger," "Best Media Blog," and "Media Project of the Year" were introduced. A total of 202 applications were submitted for the competition, compared to 144 the previous year.

      "The most important criterion for a professional is a sharp mind"

      The chairman of the Union of Journalists of Tatarstan, the general director of the television and radio company "New Century" (TNV) Ilshat Aminov delivered a welcoming speech at the award ceremony: "The most important thing is that unique people are sitting here. Here are the magicians. You possess a great gift and great power – the power to change the world, the power to tell people what events have occurred, and to make accents." The head of the Republican Agency for Press and Mass Communications "Tatmedia" Aidar Salimgaraev noted that today is a record day for high temperatures – and it's not just about the weather, but also about the intensity of emotions before the competition, he joked. He congratulated everyone present on the Press Day of the Republic of Tatarstan, which is celebrated today. "The main thing is that your pen and sharp mind never dull. The most important criterion for a professional is a sharp mind," he wished.

      Who received the awards

      Then the solemn award ceremony for the winners of the XXIX competition in the field of journalism and mass media of the Republic of Tatarstan "Bälyr kaläm" – "Crystal Pen" 2026 began. This year, the winners in the nominations were:

      "Name in Journalism": Liliya Nurgalieva (newspaper "Khezmät danı"), Ramil Garipov (TRK "New Century");

      "Best District Editorial Office": "Leninogorsk-inform," "Pestretsy-inform";

      "Best Republican, City Editorial Office": content center Tatmedia NEO, electronic newspaper "Intertat";

      "Journalist of the Year": Elizaveta Cherkina (newspaper "Kazan News"), Aliya Khairutdinova (TRK "New Century");

      "View through the Lens": Firyuza Valieva (magazine "Idel-Idel"), Lenar Khabibullin (GTRK "Tatarstan");

      "Effective Press Service": press service of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan;

      "Best Blogger": Marat Akhmetov;

      "Best Media Blog": Gulgena Gilmanova (newspaper "Vatanım Tatarstan");

      "Native Language": Adeliya Tukhbatova (correspondent of TRK "New Century" in the Republic of Kazakhstan);

      "Media Project of the Year": the team of the Charitable Foundation "Call of Reason" (project "The Power of Words in Real Help");

      "Media Person of the Year": the Minister of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection of the Republic of Tatarstan Elmira Zaripova.

      Receiving the award, she recalled how she herself started working in the press service of Zelenodolsk in the late 1990s. "I went from a specialist to the head of the public relations department. And I know that there are veterans of the industry in this hall who worked in Zelenodolsk and taught me how to work with the media," Zaripova shared and thanked her senior colleagues.

      Special Nominations

      Pens were also awarded in special nominations. Among them is "Best Graphic Design" (GTRK "Tatarstan"). The award for winning the special nomination "Best Coverage of Defender of the Fatherland Day and the 80th Anniversary of Victory" was presented by Hero of Russia Alexander Lapin. "Today you are on the front line of the information war. A decisive battle has unfolded between good and evil. A battle for the minds of humanity, a battle for our future," he noted. Prizes were awarded to Elmira Gaynutdinova (TRK "Chally-TV") and the team of "Bolgar Radiosy." A special diploma "For Contribution to Strengthening Dialogue Between Authorities and Society" was awarded to the press service of the State Council of Tatarstan.

      Grand Prize – a Car

      The Grand Prix was presented by the Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan Leila Fazleeva. She considers the "Crystal Pen" a special metaphor. "Crystal and the stroke of a pen. This is, on the one hand, delicacy, and on the other – sharpness. But, above all, it is beauty. In this fragility of the modern world, our beauty is created by you," Fazleeva said. The prize – a Lada Vesta car from the republic's leadership – was awarded to the editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Shähri Chally" Rezida Yusupova.

      The editor-in-chief of "Tatar-inform" was awarded the title of Honored Worker of Print and Mass Communications

      The editor-in-chief of "Tatar-inform" Rinat Bilalov was awarded the honorary title "Honored Worker of Print and Mass Communications of the Republic of Tatarstan" by the decree of the President of Tatarstan. The award was presented by Leila Fazleeva. "I thank you for your maximum involvement in the process of informing the residents of the republic when difficult situations arise," Fazleeva said.

      In addition, the medal "For Valiant Labor" was awarded to the executive director of JSC "Tatmedia" Niyaz Gareev.

      Photo report: Vladimir Vasilyev

      Photo: © Vladimir Vasilyev / "Tatar-inform"

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      "Crystal Pen – 2026": who became the laureate of the competition and received the grand prize – a car.

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      In Tatarstan, the "Crystal Pen" was awarded: over 200 applications were submitted for the competition.

      Innovations of the "Crystal Pen"

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      Ilshat Aminov: "You have great power – the power to change the world."

      The award ceremony for the winners of the "Crystal Pen" took place in Kazan.

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