The unusual format of the XVIII International Children Music Contest “Vitebsk-2020”, when every young artist gave two performances on the same day with a break of just a few hours, increased the anxiety of the song contest. The two rounds were different. In the first round the young contestants presented their country and songs in their native language. Some of them, like Zhasmin Tleumbetova from Kazakhstan and Bogdana-Bianca Visterniceanu from Moldova, also demonstrated beautiful national costumes. In the second round the children were expected to show originality and inspiration through performing a musical work which reveals their talent to the full.

The children managed to cope with the challenges and anxiety, and even with the sun, which literally dazzled their eyes during the performance. Well, this is also a feature of the current “little bazaar” as like many other programs of the XXIX International Festival of Arts “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk”, the contest was held in the open air. There was a special feeling of the musical summer magic and cheerful mood in the Park of Talents, where the young artists searched for the main treasure – the Grand Prix.

Many spectators looked back at the jury during the performance, wishing to know their reaction. The professionals from seven countries of the world applauded, sang along with the contestants, smiled, danced in their seats, and engaged in the dramatic plots of songs that some young performers chose.

Before the Gala concert and the Award Ceremony of the International Children Music Contest, the jury members and its chairman, Honored Artist of Belarus, singer Alexander Solodukha, took part in the “Star Hour” press conference in the International press center and shared their impressions of the competition.

Honored Artist of Russia, singer Varvara said that she admires the organizers of the children competition, who choose such professional singers in the qualifying round. These are artists who can be taken to the stage of any concert halls even today.

“The jury almost unanimously determined the favorites already in the first round,” Varvara said. “But they are children! In the second round someone may fail to sing a note, someone may just be in a bad mood... And we are not to forget that the sound in a closed hall differs from singing in an open area, which created additional difficulties.”

“I would like to thank the organizers of the children music competition for the teams that accompanied children during their performance of the songs,” said the Chairman of the jury Alexander Solodukha.

There followed a real admiration for talent of the children of dance groups, who became true collaborators with young artists. The Vitebsk children dance groups that created a mood for the audience and contestants during concerts included amateur team of Republic of Belarus Dance Ensemble “Zorka”, the exemplary pop song Studio “Forum”, Diana Yurchenko’s folk theater-studio of choreography, the youth variety theatre “School of Stars”, exemplary dance ensemble “Darunak”, exemplary ensemble of variety dance “Mosaic” and the exemplary dance ensemble “Egoza”, Honoured Amateur team of Republic of Belarus circus studio “Arena” and others.

The jury members noted the amazing atmosphere in their team. They explained the unanimity in evaluating the performance of children only by the level of children’s professionalism. The only comment concerned the repertoire. Unfortunately, some contestants choose songs not suitable fortheir age. It is a mistake and a problem not only for the current contest. It’s better for children not to present slow, complex songs that describe experiences incomprehensible to them due to age.

The gala concert featuring diploma recipients and prize winners of the XVIII International Children Music Contest “Vitebsk-2020” became another open-air song celebration in the Park of Talent. Finally, everyone found out who managed to find the main treasure – the Grand Prix. The award remains in Belarus for the second year in a row. Angelina Lomako deservedly received the Grand Prix, representing her country with dignity. Angelina Lomako was also given the right to perform in the gala concert of the closing ceremony of the XXIX International Festival of Arts “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk”, where she will be awarded a special prize – the Lyre.

Angelina Lomako, as well as Vladimir Serikov from Russia, also won special prizes of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia as the best performers of fraternal States at the XVIII International Children Music Contest “Vitebsk-2020”.