Uzbek talents at “Moscow Welcomes Friends” Festival

June 2, 2011

The Fund Forum supports talented musicians of Uspensky Music School in Tashkent. One of the School’s talented students, Tamara Akbarova, participated in the 8th International Festival “Moscow Welcomes Friends” held from May 21 to June 2 in Moscow.

As many as 12,000 talented children from over 50 countries have participated since 2004 in “Moscow Welcomes Friends”, a major project launched by Spivakov Foundation. This year the Festival brought together over 1,500 young talented musicians, dancers and artists from around 30 regions of Russia and 42 countries.

This is Akbarova’s second participation in the international festival at the invitation of maestro Vladimir Spivakov. In Moscow, Akbarova has demonstrated a brilliant performance. She has also drawn plaudits at events in Germany, France, Sweden, Ukraine and Estonia. Experts and journalists have noted Tamara has shown extraordinary skills and proficiency.

Tamara Akbarova, pianist, student at Uspensky Music School (Uzbekistan):

“I’ve participated in international festivals and competitions in several countries, including Italy, Germany, Romania, Sweden and the Netherlands as well as national contests in Uzbekistan. Using this opportunity I would like to express my thanks to the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Uzbekistan and the Fund Forum for providing young people with opportunities to develop their skills and encouraging us to work harder.”

The number of Uspensky School students who bring home awards from prestigious international competitions is growing year after year, which is indicative of Uzbek children’s strong potential and of the School’s teaching experience. Many of Uspensky students have emerged as winners at “Yangi avlod” (New generation) Children’s Art Festival and “Kelajak ovozi” (Voice of the future) Talented Youth Contest.

Eleonora Konovalova, head of the Spivakov Foundation’s Organizing Committee (Russia):

“The Festival “Moscow welcomes friends” is in its eighth year now. And we have been inviting children from Uzbekistan, young talents who have been discovered by the Fund Forum through its projects. Among them are Tamila Salimjanova, who is presently a student at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, and her brother Nodir Hoshimov, who emerged as the winner this year at the 2nd Yankelevich International Violin Contest in Omsk. He won the Grand Prix and a violin by a prominent 18th-century master Eugenio Degani. We are very happy for him and he has become a favorite with so many people in Omsk. Currently, Nodir is a student at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Uzbekistan has been showing particular attention to young talented children.”

Yelena Mikhels, head a children’s music ensemble (Germany):

“I have been watching young Uzbek talents perform in this sort of events and earn prizes and awards. And I think their success proves the support and attention Uzbekistan gives to the development of talented children and youth.”