Press releases

Belarusian youngster sweeps maximum points at song contest in Vitebsk

VITEBSK, 15 July (BelTA) – Belarus’ Elizaveta Tsuprik has scored the highest score after two days of the 24^th International Junior Song Contest Vitebsk, BelTA has learned.

On the second contest day, participants from 19 countries performed songs by a Slavic author in one of the Slavic languages, accompanied by the Mikhail Finberg National Academic Concert Orchestra of Belarus.

First to take the stage was Nomuundari Ganzorig from Mongolia, who performed Viktor Tsoi's song Cuckoo.

Belarusian performer Elizaveta Tsuprik, who took the stage second, sang the song My Home by composer Valery Shmat. As on the first day, the 14‑year‑old girl impressed everyone with her powerful vocals and drew thunderous applause from the audience. The jury members awarded her the maximum 10 points. After two days, she has a total of 130 points.

“I’m very happy that I managed to give my absolute best right here at Slavianski Bazaar. The support of the orchestra really helped me. I felt like I wasn’t alone on stage, that beyond the audience and the jury, I had my own team,” Elizaveta shared.

The song My Home was written especially for her by composer Valery Shmat. “It’s about my home, my family, my pets, and of course, about my dear Belarus, our land. To sing about it at an international festival is a great pride and honor for me,” Elizaveta said.

Romania’s Lucia Baicu sang the ballad Sinful Passion and received 69 points. Over the two days, the jury awarded her a total of 127 points.

Zhasmina Tuzelova from Kazakhstan performed Pyotr Andreev's song Chamomile‑Cornflower and scored 66 points. She had received top marks for her first performance. Her total over the two days is 126 points.

Kira Abramov from Israel brought energy to the stage with the Russian folk song Valenki and finished with a total of 125 points.

Shirin Jumaeva from Turkmenistan performed Makaim Dunaevsky’s Winds of Change, the most beautiful song about childhood. Russian contestant Valeria Shevchenko captivated the audience with Konstantin Kinchev's rock song Sky of the Slavs. Zidu Gao from China offered a rendition of Moscow Nights.

Ilona Bronevitskaya, the chair of the jury, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, singer, actress, and television presenter, noted that the stage provided all the right conditions for the young performers to shine. “It was a strong competition,” she emphasized.

The Grand Prix winner will be announced at the official opening ceremony of the 35th International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk while the first, second, and third prize winners will be named at the gala concert of the 24th International Junior Song Contest Vitebsk.