Madina was born in 1993 in the city of Kyzyl-Kiya, Batken region. That's where she grew up. She is Ossetian by nationality.
“Currently, our whole family has temporarily moved to Russia, living in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, in the urban-type settlement of Mezhdurechensky. We moved due to my job. I graduated from KRSU in Bishkek with a degree in medicine, and then completed a residency in oncology. I am an oncologist-mammologist. I am also currently undergoing additional training in ultrasound diagnostics,” Madina shared.
The couple met back in school.
“I was only 16 years old at the time, and Eldiyar was 19. He was an athlete, practicing sambo. One morning, when he came out for a run from the gym, I was crossing the road on my way to school (just like a scene from a movie). He said that I immediately caught his eye. Without hesitation, Eldiyar shouted after me: ‘Girl, you are very beautiful!’. I replied, ‘Thank you’. That’s how it all started. He pursued me for a long time, driving me everywhere. I just responded with gratitude to his compliment, but he decided to marry me. From the very first days, he firmly and irrevocably said that he would marry me, no matter what,” M. Zakirova recounted.
Eldiyar was also born and raised in Kyzyl-Kiya. He is Kyrgyz by nationality.
“I didn’t really believe in us and our relationship, as we come from different cultures. I thought that such a marriage was impossible and for a long time couldn’t even imagine that I would marry him, but he was persistent. We dated for 3 years before we got married. Eldiyar confessed his love after about a month of dating when I asked him to stop calling and texting because I didn’t see anything in common between us. I was determined to end our communication. But he didn’t give up, and to prove the seriousness of his feelings, he wrote on the school walls in red spray paint, while sitting on a friend’s shoulders: ‘Madina 11 A, I love you’. That was bold. Of course, after that incident, I was called to the principal’s office and reported my suitor in detail. But after that incident, I really started to like him,” Madina said.
The couple's wedding was lavish, as Eldiyar is the only son, and my mother-in-law organized a truly luxurious celebration. Limousines, Hummers, Lexuses, a restaurant for 800 people. In general, it was grand. I had never seen anything of that scale before.
I adapted to my new family immediately. I am the only daughter-in-law. They loved and cherished me. From the very first days, they called me ‘kızım’ (my daughter), and I never once heard the word ‘kelin’ (daughter-in-law) from my mother-in-law. From the day we met, she called me her daughter, and I called her ‘apa’ (older sister). She is very sensitive and wise. We are not just a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law; we are like a mother and daughter and best friends. We have no secrets at all. Thanks to her, I learned a lot and didn’t feel any difficulties. When I got married, I was a third-year student, and her support was in everything, for which I am immensely grateful,” she shared.
Madina gave an example of what kind of father and husband Eldiyar is:
“One incident that stood out to me was when our first son was born. Not only did my husband attend the birth and never leave my side, but after the birth, he stayed with us overnight. He arranged with the hospital staff and spent the first night in the maternity ward. Early in the morning, he left through the window. The staff was shocked; they said they had seen different fathers, but this was the first time they encountered such a thing.”
She noted that she likes Kyrgyz traditions.
“According to Kyrgyz traditions, after the birth of a child, one celebration follows another. The person who first announces the joyful news of the baby’s birth receives a ‘suyunchu’ (relatives are expected to give a small monetary gift). Another reward is ‘korunduk’ (given for the right to see the baby). I was surprised by this, but what I like most is being a ‘zheneshka’ (sister-in-law) at weddings. When they come to buy the bride, you can earn good money,” M. Zakirova said.
She has little free time, but when it appears, she loves active activities because she doesn’t know where to put her energy and starts looking for something to do. Therefore, she engages in running, cycling, swimming, and everything related to active sports.
The couple has 4 children: 2 sons and 2 daughters.
“This is simply the dream come true. This is exactly the family I envisioned. My plans for the future: I dream of returning to my homeland as soon as possible. I miss my homeland very much.
I plan to complete my contract, finish my training in ultrasound diagnostics, and return to my native Kyrgyzstan with new strength and knowledge,” Madina added.
