Following the "Fakel" festival, the exemplary dance ensemble "VI-ZA-VI" from Orsha was awarded a second-degree diploma in its nomination.

The bright lights of the festive fireworks in the Vitebsk night sky announced: the V corporate festival of OJSC "Gazprom" has concluded. The final concert took place on Sunday, with the main awards presented on the stage of the Summer Amphitheater, and many warm words were spoken in appreciation of the participants and organizers. But before that, several other events significant for the residents of the region had occurred.

One of these events awaited us on May 18. At the awards ceremony, the second-degree diploma in the "Estrada Choreography" nomination, in the age category from 5 to 10 years, was awarded to the exemplary dance ensemble "VI-ZA-VI". This ensemble from Orsha is well-known not only in our region. The children have repeatedly become winners of various competitions and, of course, have performed on many stages in the Vitebsk region, managing to gain many fans in Belarus and abroad. They also represented the republic worthily at the "Fakel" festival, although they had to overcome certain difficulties to do so. As explained by the artistic director of the ensemble, Alesya Vasilevskaya, just three days before the performance, their soloist, who performed acrobatic stunts in the number, broke his arm. So, the dance had to be urgently adjusted, and the incident also affected the children's mood. However, the young artists pulled themselves together and still showed their class.

"Representing the country at such a large international competition is a great honor for us," emphasized Alesya Vasilevskaya. "'VI-ZA-VI' is the only children's choreographic ensemble from Belarus to receive this honor. We returned with a victory from Astrakhan, where the zonal round of the 'Fakel' festival took place. Therefore, perhaps we are even glad now that it was the Russians who took first place on Belarusian soil; perhaps it was meant to be that way."

 Moreover, our rivals were very strong – for instance, the "Lapushki" choreographic ensemble, which has an amazing gymnastics school. The children were a bit upset that we didn't win, but I understand that the festival's level is extremely high, and getting second place here is an honor and a great achievement. The most important thing is that the kids made many new friends and gained a lot of impressions that will stay with them forever.

The other artists who arrived at the creative forum as part of the delegation of OAO "Gazprom transgaz Belarus" also took prize-winning places. Singer Veronika Chernyavskaya was even among those who contended for the Grand Prix. However, the highest award has not yet been achieved by us. By the way, this year the winners were determined in an unusual format: during the final gala concert of the "Fakel" festival. The jury worked practically until the last minute this time. As a result, in addition to prizes in three age categories (from 5 to 10 years old, from 11 to 16 years old, from 17 years old and older), another "reserve" prize was added. Two Grand Prix awards went to Tomsk, one each to Orenburg and Nizhny Novgorod. The best young artist, according to the judging panel, turned out to be from Yekaterinburg. And the creative team of OAO "Gazprom transgaz Belarus" received a special prize from the Chairman of the Management Board of OAO "Gazprom" – a five-day trip to St. Petersburg for the "White Nights" festival.

On the closing day of "Fakel," the gas corporation presented another gift to the Vitebsk region: 28 original photographs of the famous Russian artist, found in the State Archive of Film, Photo, and Sound Documents of St. Petersburg, were transferred to the Museum-Estate "Zdravnevo." They were taken in the early 20th century and undoubtedly represent a huge interest for everyone who wishes to learn more about the life and work of Ilya Repin. The next final of the corporate festival will be held in Ljubljana (Slovenia). But, according to the Chairman of the Management Board of OAO "Gazprom," Alexey Miller, Vitebsk received a high rating for the organization and holding of the creative forum, so "Fakel" may well return here again.

Liliya IVCHENKO.
Photo by Dmitry OSIPOV.
"Vitebsky Rabochy"

In the photo: Sasha Ermolaev and Diana Ostrovskaya, like the other participants of the "VI-ZA-VI" ensemble, worthily represented Belarus at the corporate festival of OJSC "Gazprom"