XXX

Finally the representative of Kazakhstan at the festival is obvious. Her name is Angelina Aleksandrovna. She has a great experience at the stage , so to say, she was born at the stage. Her parents were the soloists of the well-known all around the Soviet Union gipsy band Ochi Chernie which existed within Pavlodar s philharmonic society. She made her first step when she was three , and by her fifteens she started working at the professional stage. In 1996 she gained Gram-Pre of her first competition - Pavlodar City Young Singer s Competition . In 1997 she picked up two awards: at the Republican Young Singer s Competition Zhas Kanat and Zolotoy Shlyager in Byelorussia. And by the next year the Bulgarian audience at the international competition Discovery in Verna was submitted by Angelina s masterly performance. In Verna she gained again the second award and met the well-known Bulgarian singer Evelia Balcheva, who gifted Angelina her music album. On listening the songs young singer drew attention to Zlato mome song and decided to include it into her own repertoire. And now after complicating this difficult song she will perform it for the audience and jury to judge.

The net her step was the first award at the international festival Shabyt in Astana last year. The most impressive and unforgettable event of Angelina s life became the performance with the gipsy band Gilya Romen for Nursultan Nazarbaev at his arrival to Pavlodar in 1998. Gilya Romen was founded by her father Mihail Aleksandrov in 1993. After perfomance the President noticed thet it was the best gipsy band and within some time they were invited to the capital. Now Angelina is the soloist of th state philharmonic society in Astana, She ofte goes on the stage with the concert orchestra Astana . She is the auther of a number of her own songs. She sings on different languages , including Kazakh. Tow of them , authored by Tylegen Muhanetzhanov and Baydaly Ryspanbetov, will be presented at the coming festival.

Those who follow the events of Voice of Asia surely remember Angelina Since the festival in 1997. The thing is that at that time she performed witin the Kazakhstani Singer s Competition.And at the third of August Angelina will appear

at the high mountain Medeo skating-ring s stage as a contestant of Voice of

Asia .

- I missed the competition, its atmosphere, - says Angelina it s intresting

for me to take part in such competitions as professional as well. Besides the President watches my professional growth. It s pleasant and responsibly at the same time. So it s natural that I feel nervous before competition, but it goes away when I remember my experience.

XXX

ALEXANDR PONOMAREV…

The name which is a part and parcel of Kazakhstani stage art.

No, he is not an artist.

Though it seems wrong to assert it just because he does not sing. The song turned into the basis of harmony in his life.

He is not a musician.

But most part of music discoveries in this country is connected his name…

Coming first to TV, at the age of 15, he decided to create a new formula – TV and MUSIC.

Owing to him, music on TV acquired its new sounding.

He is the man, who did find himself.

And modern music of Kazakhstan acquired through him vivifying source of ideas and inspiration. Ponomarev’s projects are always new, brave and interesting. Properly combining imagination and vigour, he always created and continues to create everything new, unique for the sake of Kazakhstani art. First music clips in our Republic are the product of his creative experiments. First international festival “Azia Dauysy” in the Republic is the embodiment of his creative objectives into reality. The only all-country contest “Zhas kanat” is his child…

Experiment, attempt, bravery that is the master’s credo. He was never indifferent to the destiny of a creative person. He helps every artist find himself/herself on the stage. His/her own style, manners, repertoire. Never gets tired of teaching and, of course, worries. The amount of artists who went through Ponomarev’s school can not be enumerated.

To surprise once and keep always surprising is a slogan, but maybe better to say, significance of Ponomarev’s creative seeking. For an artist, it must be the main formula of success.

And for him that is principle of work.

He is not an artist. Though…

CONGRATULATIONS UPON YOU JUBILEE, MR. ALEXANDR PONOMAREV!

XXX

The first participant of the XII “Voice of Asia” festival to step Kazakhtani earth was Liu Xiaochun from China. She couldn’t conceal her emotions at the airport as it is he first Int’l festival. Liu said that she is pleased to be a participant of “Voice of Asia” and it’s a splendid opportunity for her to show herself to the world.

Her first day in Almaty Liu spent watching sightseeing of the city. She visited Medeo as well. Today she will come on the festival’s stage for the first time but - for rehearsals.

Three days of non-stopping rains in Almaty didn’t decorate it. You remember that the bad weather started from the 29 of July – the usual day of the previous “Voice of Asia” openings and if the time of the festival wasn’t postponed the audience would get wet.

But “Voice of Asia” fans can relax because the forecast says that rains will go away from Zailiyski Alatau and the sunny weather will fix in Almaty. There is no avalanche danger. So the weather is also well-disposed toward the festival. The only thing we should remind is - mountains are always mountains – put on something warmer.

There were held the first rehearsals on Medeo where contestants could see each other for the first time and were interviewed. Charming singer Ladine Roxas from Philippines said that she adores to perform on an open air and she has been fascinated by Almaty mountains. The participants from Shri-Lanka made everybody dance with their burning rhythms. Later they told that they were on the same stage with a number of world stars and recently returned from tour about Australia.

XXX

Daily, starting from the 2 of August “Habar” channel - the main broadcasting channel – will show the “Voice of Asia” Diaries: 23:00pm and repeat it on the next morning. So that everybody can follow the events behind the scenes.

XXX

The guests and jury members will give the press conferences in “Stars Club” daily from 10:30am –15:00 pm.

Press conference with Suzy Quatro will be held 2 hours before her performance on Medeo.

XXX

Wine factory of Chemolgan made Champaign “Voice of Asia” specially for the 12 Int’l festival. “The Champaign is for those who love music” is written there. This

noble juice is of 12 years endurance! There is a funny warning for the participants: “Use only after the contest. Festival Champaign was made in a limited number and is destined for the participants.

XXX

Adrian Enache (Romania) 1, 11 , 8. Ladine Roxas (Philippines) 12, 3, 4. Ruzica Cavic (Yugoslavia) 9, 4, 12. Enzo Gusman (Malta) 13, 15, 3. GT Boys (Malaysia) 5, 8, 7. Jay Day (Finland) 14, 7, 10. Lazaros Kontozis (Cyprus) 4, 12, 11. Shaymaa Saeed (Egypt) 10, 16, 6. Liu Xiaochun (China) 16 , 2, 15. Stefan Mitrov (Bulgaria) 6, 5, 9. David Khudzhadze (Georgia) 7, 9, 16. “Bathiya & Santhush” (Sri-Lanka) 8 , 1, 13. Claire Dallison (Great Britain) 3, 6, 5. Altynay Zhorabayeva (Kazakhstan) 2, 14, 2. Angelina Alexandrova (Kazakhstan) 15, 13, 1. Marat Sarbopeev (Kazakhstan) 11, 10, 14.

Early in the morning by KLM from Amsterdam accompanied by two fascinating ladies “Reggie Revolutionary” Pato Banton arrived in Almaty. Inspite of the 10-hours-lasted flight he was in high spirits and told us that a few days ago he had participated in WOLMART festival in Seattle (USA). Pato recounted that before Kazakhstan he had been to 2 East countries only: Arabian Emirates and Malaysia. He knows that our country develops its economy and democratic system with a high speed. “Besides you have oil !” – he added. At the end of the 1st contest day Pato will gladden the audience by his well known hits and by the new songs. After Medeo reggieman will go to Birmingham to continue his work.

XXX

The first guest was Reggie singer – well known Pato Benton. The audience didn’t feel a bit sorry for coming. Burning rhythms made dance people of all ages.

Nikolai Noskov was more lyric but not less professional. Mostly he sang his “promoted hits” and that made audience meet him warm.

Susy Quatro, last guest, was the most famous one of the first contest day. “Queen of bass-guitar”

Came to the stage wearing shining super dress. “Suzy Q” shook Zailiski Alatau mountains with the real rock-n-roll.

XXX

On the 3rd of August, on Monday an opening ceremony of the 12 Int’l festival was held. According with festival’s old tradition festival was opened by Kazakh artists’ greeting. After solemn piece the contestant with the first number came out to the stage – Adrian Enache from Romania. His song was called “Artist’s life”.

XXX

It was the hardest rain in Festival’s history! It stated raining 20 min. after the beginning of Gala-concert of “child’s fine art” festival on the second festival’s day. Children were singing though it was raining cats and dogs. Seemingly it is the real professionalism of small artists. As filled program, which included songs, dances and soloists’ and bands’ performances didn’t stop for a single second. In comparison with adults, children felt confidence on the stage and didn’t feel embarrassed when no synchrony…

When they were about to finish the rain was like a wall. The wind was extremely strong. The dangerous situation appeared. During a short break the administration decided to stop the festival for a while. For half of an hour the audience was listening for contestants recorded. Inspite of such conditions the number of viewers was nearly the same.

In half of an hour the festival went on.

XXX

On the 4th of July the contestants had a free program. It was felt that the singers got used to the stage and rain created the atmosphere of competition. And the audience appreciated it. The real surprise of that day’s program was a song written by Nurgisa Tlendiev and performed by Ruzica Cavic from Yugoslavia in Kazakh language. Murat Irgaliev commented it as the following: “She can teach many things some of our singers. She was much stronger than few of them”.

Enzo Gusman from Malta, one of the favorites of the audience, performed a hit “Caruso”. This wonderful song was just right for his strong voice. Commenting on the Day 2 Murat Irgaliev said that jury meets problems as contestants list is full of stars who work professionally. Audience reaction proves it. “We hear audience reaction and that cheers up and makes feel glad. We would go on singing though it is rain”.

Contest day 2 could be called world music history travel. ‘Cause Laima Vaikule and Eruption were the guests of that day. Vaikule keeps faith to he style – she was accompanied by her ballet wearing extraordinary bright dresses. Eruption band’s singers noticed that “former Soviet music fans know only 2-3 of our songs”. It was true – new songs were accepted quite indifferent. But “One Way Ticket” song made dance all the people. In addition group leader Precious Wilson started talking in Russian, rather interesting and with a British accent.