Participants of "Vitebsk-2011" consider the audience's love and ovations the best reward

July 13, Vitebsk /Tatyana Pastushenko - BELTA/. Participants of the "Vitebsk-2011" contest, held at the "Slavianski Bazaar" festival, consider audience love and ovations to be the best reward. The performers shared this with journalists, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.

Russia's representative Mari Carne admitted that she considers "Vitebsk-2011" the best event in her life. "Of course, one can always perform better, but you can't argue with the jury's decision," she said. Mari noted that she loves her country very much, and therefore, the main thing for her was to perform with dignity at the contest. The performer particularly enjoyed singing with the accompaniment of the National Concert Orchestra conducted by Maestro Mikhail Finberg. "Performing with the orchestra changes everything fundamentally – it's easy and pleasant to sing," Mari said.

David Dale from the Czech Republic also shared his impressions of participating in the contest with journalists. "I enjoyed performing with the orchestra, it was simply wonderful. I did everything I could," said David, adding that the only thing that slightly hindered him on the Summer Amphitheatre stage was the heat. The Czech performer plans to complete work on his second album and continue pursuing music.

Lithuanian performer Rūta, like her colleagues, felt very comfortable on the Vitebsk stage, and the support of the hospitable Belarusian audience played a significant role in this. Rūta admitted that the judges' assessment means much less to her than the audience's ovations. "Perhaps at some point, I had a competitive desire to win, but now the greatest pleasure for me is to go on stage, to spend time in Vitebsk. It's very good here. "Slavianski Bazaar" is a wonderful festival. And performing with the orchestra is a real miracle," she noted.

Vladimir Kvasnitsa from Ukraine noted that he had said everything he wanted to the audience with his songs. "For me, this is the main jury," said Vladimir.

Following the results of the first competition day at "Vitebsk-2011," Belarusian contestant Alyona Lanskaya leads with 179 points. She is followed by Vladimir Kvasnitsa from Ukraine (174 points), David Dale from the Czech Republic (170), and Rūta from Lithuania (170).

The competition performances have concluded, but the intrigue will be resolved on July 13 – the awards ceremony will take place on this day, as the recipient of the highest number of points does not always receive the Grand Prix of the festival. In addition, according to the competition rules, the jury may divide the second and third prizes. The Grand Prix of the XX International Pop Song Performers Competition "Vitebsk-2011" is $15,000. The recipients of the I, II, and III prizes receive awards of $9,000, $6,000, and $3,000 respectively. In addition to cash prizes, the prize-winners and the Grand Prix recipient receive the special prize "Lyra" and diplomas.-0-