The Second Republican Children’s Creativity Contest “Zhas Qanat. Balalar-2024” Held in Almaty, DKnews.kz reports.
The curtain rose in the southern capital for the Second Republican Children’s Creativity Contest “Zhas Qanat. Balalar-2024.” The project’s organizer, the Public Fund “International Festival ‘Asia Dausy’,” expresses gratitude to the Almaty City Akimat for supporting this socially significant initiative. Participation in the contest was free for children, and the public enjoyed free admission, allowing a broad audience to discover and appreciate the talents of young performers.
Talents from Across the Country
This year, the contest received 130 applications from various regions of Kazakhstan, from which 17 of the most gifted participants reached the finals. Audiences could not only watch the finalists perform live but also learn more about them in advance through the Instagram pages @zhas.qanat.official and @voice_of_asia_official, where they could also cast their votes.
provided by the Zhas Qanat Press Center
Distinguished Jury and the Challenge of Selecting Winners
Renowned cultural figures of the country served as the jury, including Kazakhstan’s honored artists and cultural workers: Nurlan Abdullin, Aigul Babaeva, Zhamilya Serkebayeva, composer Artyk Toksanbay, singer and producer, 2000 “Zhas Qanat” laureate Nurgul Nugumanova, pop star Parviz Nazarov, as well as Medeu Arynbayev, an honored artist of Kazakhstan and a member of the Composer’s Union. The remarkably high level of this year’s contestants made it particularly difficult to determine the winners.
provided by the Zhas Qanat Press Center
Results of the Vocal Competition
After careful deliberation, the jury distributed the awards as follows:
- Grand Prix: Azat Sundetbek (13 years old, Almaty)
- 1st Prize: Inzhu Yesimzhan (12 years old, Taldykorgan)
- 2nd Prize: Sofiya Balgazina (13 years old, Almaty)
- 3rd Prize: Ansar Abdurakhman (13 years old, Karaganda)
Additional special awards and diplomas were also presented:
- “Nadezhda” Prize: Kuanysh Baymukhambetov (Almaty)
- Asia Dausy Foundation’s Special Award for Preserving National Traditions: Khanshayym Pshan (Almaty)
- Award for the Best Performance of an Original Song: David Charlin (Almaty)
- Audience Choice Award (based on Instagram voting): Ansar Abdurakhman (Karaganda)
- The Almaty Akim’s Prize: Azhar Abdisheva (Karaganda), accompanied by a monetary reward of 200,000 tenge
- Special Diplomas were awarded to Azhar Abdisheva (Karaganda), Madi Nurbotaluly (Almaty), and Kausar Bekbosyn (Shymkent), each receiving an additional 50,000 tenge.
The jury members also received a pleasant surprise: Medeu Arynbayev was honored with the Murat Irgaliyev and Aleksandr Ponomaryov Award for his contribution to the development of national culture.
provided by the Zhas Qanat Press Center
Young Mobile Videographers’ Contest
“Zhas Qanat. Balalar-2024” goes beyond singing. As part of the event, a competition of young mobile videographers took place. Their works can be viewed on @zhas.qanat.official. Three laureates received prizes from TECNO mobile — the latest smartphones and branded merchandise:
- 1st Prize: Nuray Beken (Taldykorgan)
- 2nd Prize: Abzal Beysembayev (Karaganda)
- 3rd Prize: Kerbez Toktarbay (Zharkent)
Children’s Art Contest
Continuing the festive atmosphere of the musical event, a children’s drawing contest titled “Children Draw ‘Zhas Qanat’ and ‘Asia Dausy’” was also held. This year, 206 works were submitted, with 126 reaching the finals. The jury evaluated the drawings based on creative thinking, national character, the brightness and harmony of colors, and unique execution. The jury was chaired by artist-decorator Azhar Tueleubayeva, founder and head of the “By ArT” studio at the Almaty Tutoring children’s development center.
provided by the Zhas Qanat Press Center
The laureates were:
- 1st Degree Laureate: Taisiya Cherevko (Pavlodar)
- 2nd Degree Laureate: Aruzhan Bisenova (Oral)
- 3rd Degree Laureate: Anisa Farrah (Almaty)
All diploma recipients and winners received diplomas and gifts from sponsors. The best works can be viewed until the end of the year in the foyer on the 3rd floor of the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty.
For the first time in the history of the art contest, a sponsor stepped forward: Dauren Ayapov, founder of the D&D beauty and Cosmetology studio, covered the laureates’ travel expenses to and from Almaty and provided financial support.
Complete details can be found at @zhas.qanat.official.
provided by the Zhas Qanat Press Center
Upcoming 30th Anniversary “Zhas Qanat” Contest
According to Irina Kovryako, President of the Public Fund “International Festival ‘Asia Dausy’,” the milestone 30th “Zhas Qanat” contest will definitely take place. More information will be announced later.
Acknowledgements
The organizers extend their heartfelt thanks for the support provided by Kango trampoline park, A’SU VO! brand, TECNO mobile company, Royal Flowers, the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, ticket aggregator Zakazbiletov, and D&D beauty salon.
Official newspapers: “Almaty aqshamy” and “Vecherniy Almaty”
Information support: “1 Kanal ‘Eurasia,’” “NTK,” RadioCity, “Kazakhstan Pravda,” “Delovoy Kazakhstan"/DKnews.kz, ”Zakon.kz", “Novoe Pokolenie,” Nege.kz, Caravan.kz, “Moskovsky Komsomolets in Kazakhstan,” Zhatpa.kz, Dala inside telegram channel, the Foundation of Turkic-Language Journalists, and the Kazakhstan Press Club.
“Zhas Qanat. Balalar-2024” has become a true celebration of the arts for the young talents of our country. This event not only showcased their vocal and creative potential but also proved itself a promising initiative in supporting and nurturing the next generation of Kazakhstan’s gifted youth.
