Voice of Astana chosen among singers from around the world

18 June, 2018 18:03

On the 15-16th of June, 2018 Astana hosted the 1st International contest "Voice of Astana", which will become annual. It is an analogue of world-class vocal competitions. The contest was organized by the Ministry of Culture and Sport of Kazakhstan and devoted to the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the capital of Kazakhstan - Astana.

Three big events took place as part of the festival: the international contest of pop singers "Voice of Astana", the jubilee creative evening of Baygali Serkebayev and the concert sacred to the memory of Batyrkhan Shukenov, performed by Russian and Kazakh pop stars such as Valery Meladze, Leonid Agutin, Vladimir Presnyakov, Aleksey Chumakov, Yulianna Karaulova, Elina Chaga, A-Studio group, Roza Rymbayeva, Karina Abdullina, Meyrambek Bespayev, JCS group, Aikyn, Zhubanysh Zheksenuly, Rustem Nurzhigit, Dilnaz Ahmadiyeva, Ali Okapov, Dinara Sultan, Marsel, Dinaya, Lido, The Jigits group, Zhiger Auypbayev, Bulgarian singer Kristian Kostov, Tomas Nevergreen, and others.

"Within the framework of the international contest "Voice of Astana" on the first day all participants will sing songs about Astana. On the second day each of them will present songs from their repertoire", producer, composer Renat Gaysin said during a press conference before the festival.

Until May 25, 2018, the organizing committee of "Voice of Astana" accepted applications from singers from all over the world. During the reception of applications 500 singers and music groups from more than 20 countries expressed their desire to take part in the competition. Age of participants was from 18 to 35 years old.

There is a full list of participants:

1. Avtandil Abeslamidze, Georgia;

2. Ilham Nazarov, Azerbaijan;

3. BaoBao Lin, China;

4. "Goldstone" vocal group, England;

5. Kamila Izmailova, Tatarstan;

6. Shrey Sharma, India;

7. Tatyana Dokanina, Ukraine;

8. Katerina Marka, Israel;

9. "Song Theater", Armenia;

10. "Vinile", Italy;

11. Tolon Tursunaliev, Kyrgyzstan;

12. Liliya Veltman, Russia;

13. Serap Zincir, Turkey;

14. Khurshid (Matin) Inogamov, Uzbekistan;

15. Dulma Sunrapova, Mongolia;

16. Eleonora Nossova, Russia;

17. Nika Prokopieva, Estonia;

18. Nikola Chochev, Bulgaria;

19. Berdibek Kulgarayev, Kazakhstan;

20. Cedrina Shari, the USA.

"Dear participants, let me congratulate you on the opening of the first international contest of pop singers "Voice of Astana", dedicated to the 20th anniversary of our beautiful capital. The uniqueness of this contest is that the participants will perform songs dedicated to our beautiful Astana for the first time on one stage. And let me wish our participants creative inspiration and success. This evening we dedicate to the memory of great musician, unique person, wonderful friend Batyrkhan Shukenov", Minister of Culture and Sport of Kazakhstan Arystanbek Mukhamediuly said at starting of the festival.

Following the results of two days of the contest the prize-winning places were divided as follows: audience choice award - Khurshid Inogamov (Uzbekistan), special prize for the original performance of the song - Cedrina Shari (USA), the best song about Astana - Eleanora Nossova (Russia), the 3rd place - Islam Nazarov (Azerbaijan), the 2nd place - BaoBao Lin (China) and Tatyana Dokanina (Ukraine), the 1st place - Berdibek Kulgarayev (Kazakhstan) and "Goldstone" (England). The Grand Prix of the competition was won by Avtandil Abislimidze (Georgia).

Some of the participants have already been in Astana. For some, this visit was for the first time. But each of them was struck by the greatness of the young capital.

"I came to you to get a bunch of positive emotions. And you know, Astana, you make me smile! Astana is like a little flower-tower with its skyscrapers reaching out to the sun. There is a soul in Astana and therefore I will always be happy to come back", Nika Prokopieva from Estonia said.

Khurshid Inogamov, the Uzbek singer, shared that participating in the contest he wanted to get a lot of fun, meet new friends.

"Astana is like a home for me. Every time I come here I feel the same cosiness", he said.

"It is an honor for me to share with you the celebration of the twenties anniversary of Astana. The purpose of my arrival before the contest is the promotion of peace and freedom on the whole planet. Despite the fact that I came from Turkey, in Astana I feel like I’m at home. Astana is a very beautiful city and I am very happy to be here. I wholeheartedly congratulate everyone on the 20th anniversary of the city", Serap Zincir said.

American pop singer Anastacia became the main star of the evening. Anastacia has 6 studio albums and over 30 music videos. She is the owner of a large number of musical as well as a number of humanitarian awards.

This became a grandiose musical project that attracted attention and interest of the world music community and positioned Kazakhstan as a country with a high level of culture and art development. Events of such scale are held in the country more often. This is due to the fact that last year the country launched the "Rukhani Zhangyru" program aimed at modernization of public consent.

Saltanat Suraganova

Photo: Bauyrzhan Zhuasbayev; the press service of the Ministry of Culture and Sport of Kazakhstan

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