The Grand Prix of the "Vitebsk-2009" song contest was won by Russia's representative Dmitry Danilenko

July 13, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The Grand Prix of the XVIII International Pop Song Performers Contest "Vitebsk-2009" was won by Russia's representative Dmitry Danilenko, a BELTA correspondent reports from the award ceremony. Along with the special prize "Lyra" and a diploma, the winner receives a prize of $10,000. Pasha Parfeniy from Moldova was awarded the first prize with a capital of $6,000, the "Lyra" prize, and a diploma. The second prize was awarded to Belarusian contestant Andrey Kolosov and representative of Macedonia Vlatka Lozanoski. The third prize was shared by Petr Dmitrichenko from Ukraine and Jeronimas Milius from Lithuania. Special prizes from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia were awarded to Andrey Kolosov - "Best Pop Song Performer (Republic of Belarus)" and Dmitry Danilenko - "Best Pop Song Performer (Russian Federation)". Andrey Kolosov also received an honorary award - the special Vladimir Mulyavin prize for performing mastery. Gifts and prizes from sponsors were presented to all participants of the contest. The International Pop Song Performers Contest "Vitebsk-2009" was held during the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" arts festival. This year, 16 contestants took part in the creative competition. Brazil delegated its participant for the first time. The jury was headed by Laima Vaikule. In the 18-year history of the "Vitebsk" pop song performers contest, such now famous artists as Taisiya Povaliy, Philipp J. Macher, Ruslana, and Rafael have become its winners. The Grand Prix was not awarded only once - in 1994. -0-