Press releases

VITEBSK, 8 November (BelTA) - Young singers from seven countries will take part in the international pop song contest Halі-Halo in Novopolotsk on 18-19 November, BelTA learned from the Novopolotsk City Hall.

Some 120 applications have been filed for the qualifying rounds and 56 vocalists have been selected. These are kids from Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Estonia, Ukraine, Latvia and Romania. They will compete in three age categories: from 8 to 10 years old; from 11 to 13; from 14 to 16. The event will be hosted by the Palace of Culture of the Naftan oil refinery.

The international jury will be headed by Honored Artist of Belarus Irina Dorofeeva and will include vocal teachers, composers and artists from Belarus, Estonia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

The idea of holding the festival for talented children and teenagers in Novopolotsk emerged in 1994. Initially the competition was held annually, then turned into a biennale. In 2003 the festival was put on hold and revived in 2011. The contest aims to expand and support talented young artists, foster creative development and performing skills of children and youth, to cultivate the artistic taste, revive the best traditions of pop genre, promote children’s vocal art as an integral part of culture of Belarus, exchange creative ideas and practical experience.

The event has been co-organized by the Culture Ministry, the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee, and the Novopolotsk City Hall.