We need an artist with an innate sense of the stage. The qualifying round for "Slavianski Bazaar" is taking place in Vitebsk.
December 4, 2025
The Vitebsk Concert Hall is hosting the regional tour of the "Vitebsk" international pop song performers competition and the "Vitebsk" international children's music competition as part of the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" international arts festival, a BELTA correspondent reports. Approximately 40 participants from different parts of the Vitebsk region will showcase their vocal talents in the qualifying round: children aged 8 to 14 inclusive and adults aged 18 to 31 inclusive. They will present two compositions each. Participants of the pop song performers competition will perform a pop song by a composer from a Slavic country in one of the Slavic languages and a popular foreign-language composition (a world hit). Participants of the children's music competition will perform a pop song by a composer from a Slavic country in one of the Slavic languages and a pop song on a children's and youth theme.
"Today Vitebsk is taking over the baton for holding regional selections. It is always very difficult to evaluate children. The participants are evaluated as adult contestants, complete artists: how they cope with their excitement, how they fit into the repertoire, how they can captivate both the audience and the multi-million television audience, and how they can win the hearts of the jury. We pay attention to the choice of backing tracks, the creation of high-quality backing tracks, how the child immerses themselves in the image, how they understand what they are singing," said jury member, Head of the International Cooperation Department of the Vitebsk Cultural Center, Directorate of the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk International Arts Festival, Svetlana Avdeeva.
"Only two will advance to the final competition, which will be held in the summer. There are many aspiring artists who demonstrate a high level of professionalism. Personally, for me, the competition is about identifying precisely these talents. We are looking for memorable artists. On the one hand, they must possess all performance qualities – voice, intonation, expressiveness, and so on. But one of the criteria is vocal recognition, artistic and performance individuality. We need an artist who has an inner sense of the stage, an inner desire to communicate with the audience, to convey something of their own, personal, to the listener," noted the jury chairman, chairman of the conducting department at the Vitebsk State Musical College named after I.I. Solertinsky, Alexander Suvurov. For the first time, ten-year-old Eva Markacheva from Vitebsk is participating in the competition. "I've been studying vocals for two and a half years. I came with two songs. The first is in Belarusian, and the second is in Japanese, which says: don't close yourself off, reach out, because there is light in each of us. I specifically learned Japanese to perform this song at the Slavianski Bazaar," the girl said about her preparation for the competition.
Vlada Modyalo from Dokshytsy came to try her luck for the second time. "I didn't make it to the second round the first time. I prepared for this one. I've been studying vocals for 9 years. I have participated in music competitions before. For example, in Novopolotsk, "Sounds of a Dream," where I was a laureate of the first and second degrees," said Vlada. Dmitry Prikhodko from Glubokoye was very nervous before his performance. "I've been involved in music since the fourth grade. I constantly participate in competitions in my hometown, and in one of them, "Merry Voices," I won. On the advice of my teachers, I decided to try my hand at the Slavianski Bazaar. I will perform the songs "Islands of Happiness" by the ensemble "Pesniary" and "Music of My Soul." I chose the repertoire together with my teacher. This is my first serious competition selection. I am nervous, but I still dream of winning," said Dmitry.
Young Nika Tatarchuk from the regional center also debuted at the qualifying round. "I study at Music School No. 4 in Vitebsk. I will sing 'Kvyetki syniya' and 'A Girl from Planet Earth'. My performance outfit was chosen for me by Yulia Kutepova, the head of the children's exemplary fashion theater 'Kostyumer' at the Vitebsk Culture Center," Nika clarified.
On December 10, Minsk will take over the baton of the qualifying rounds. Based on the results of the qualifying rounds, up to five participants from each region and Minsk will be selected to participate in the second stage of the qualifying rounds.