Music Festival Voice of Asia

07.08.2002

Awarding ceremony and Gala-Concert (with photos)

Yesterday XIII International Festival "Voice of Asia" was closed:

Grand-Prix- Big Golden Trophy and 10000 US$

- Siti Nurhaliza (Malaysia)

First Prize- Golden Trophy and 5000 US$

- Veriko Turashvili (Georgia)

Second Prize - two Silver Trophys and two money prizes US$ 3500

- Takhmina Ashimbekova (Kazakhstan)

- Arnee Hidalgo (Philippines)

Third prize - two Bronze Trophys and money prizes US$ 2000

- Roberta (Bulgaria)

- Aldabergen Dzhaksybaev (Kazakhstan)

Best composer - Special prize and US$ 1000

- Modris Skayetkalis (Latvia)

Best arranger- Special prize and US$ 1000

- Rumen Boyadzhiyev (Bulgaria)

Best soundengineer - Special prize and US$ 500

- Gusan Shagen (Armenia)

Also special prizes were presented by mayor of Almaty city Viktor Khrapunov to Lauris Reiniks (Latvia), Sean Wong (Singapore), Zikkie (Yugoslavia) and "Edy and Lala" (Indonesia); and Bekbolat Tleukhan on behalf of Comittee of culture,information and mutual understanding gave his prize to Zikkie (Yugoslavia).

By festival tradition right after handing of Grand-Prix winner sang her song. And also it was followed by fireworks show. What a great picture!

Also prizes for winners of Contemporary Song of Kazakhstan contest were given. They are:


Trio "Zhas Kyran" "Sulu karyndas". Com.– Baydaly Ryspanbetov, lyr.- Nurdilla Sarsenbayev, arr.- Rinat Gaysin
Beibut Korgan "Maghan arman". Com.- Bek Oralbekov,lyr.- Kuatkan Kaisauly, arr.- Rinat Gaysin
Takhmina Ashimbekova "Oshpes Tarih". Com.- Seifullin Zholbarys, lyr. – Ainur Tursynbaeva, arr.- Ermek Elgezekov
Marzhan Arapbaeva "Eles, Ouayim, Bakyt". Com. and lyr.- Omarkhan Nurbolat, arr.- Rinat Gaysin
Gulnur Omirbaeva "Bekzat" Com.- Gulnur Omirbayeva, lyr. Iran Ghaiyp, arr. Kairat Dzhanibekov
Angelina Aleksandrova "Sulu kalkam" Com.- Baydaly Ryspanbetov, lyr- unknown, arr.- Rinat Gaysin
Nurdilla Sarsenbayev "Aigulim" Com. and lyr. Nurdilla Sarsenbayev, arr.- Rinat Gaysin

For the first time in history of contest chief organizer, producer, manager of "Voice of Asia" song contest and Republican Contest for young singers "Zhas Kanat", author and organizer for many popular musical projects Murat Irgaliyev was also awarded prize. Bekbolat Tleukhan on behalf of Comittee of culture,information and mutual understanding revealed secret and presented him Honorable Simbol "Honoured Art worker" Our congratulations!

Festival closed with perfomances of guest stars. Very warm welcome was made for disco superstar CC Catch, who sang her best hit remixes. She with new team of rappers Crazy and Omega united impossible - dissco and rap. Before show Caroline mentioned that she is preparing great comeback. Period out of scene and living for her own now is over.

As a rule there are no surprises when guest stars are performing. But not this time. After CC Catch at the scene appeared jury member Biser Kirov. And he gave a full concert program, accompanied by children's choir. Children weren't at all afraid to sang with superstar, and performed quite well.

Festival was closed with perfomance of most misterious singer in CIS Vitas.

BTW at next day after finish of contest program at the reception made by Almaty mayor Victor Khrapunov Lauris Reiniks announced that he had found his only love here at Kazakhstan. His heart was conquered by Karen Polidano.

"We all became friends and someone even married - happily said Lauris, talking about him and Karen - but we're still undecided where wedding ceremony will be held, in Latvia or at Malta?" Finally happy contestants decided to marry here in Kazakhstan.

The only band at contest "Edy and Lala" expressed their wishes to keep forever friendship between contestants, and Aldabergen was nearly crying - he didn't want festival to be over. Most far away living singer Sean Wong from Singapore, firstly was worrying cause he arrived to the festival alone. But he was welcomed here by everyone and he stopped worrying.

At the end mayor added that everyone are welcome to return to Almaty as guests of festival and city.