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Seven countries to partake in Music of Hope contest in Gomel

GOMEL, 19 November (BelTA) – The 9th International Children’s Contest, Music of Hope, will take place in Gomel on 30 November to 5 December 2009. Partaking in it will be over 60 young musicians under 16 from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Kazakhstan and China, BelTA learnt from director of the contest Mikhail Golovach. Gomel has been hosting this international contest since 1996, the year when President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko first sent a message of greetings to its participants. In 2008 it required the status of an annual contest. Over 800 young talents from different countries have taken part in the contest so far. The contest is usually held in one of three nominations, Piano, String and Bow Instruments, Wind and Percussion Instruments. This year the Music of Hope welcomes young pianists. According to Mikhail Golovach, the contest helps maintain and develop international friendly and cultural links, perfects performing skills and unearths new talents. An opening ceremony of the contest will be held in the Gomel oblast public and cultural center on 30 November. The closing ceremony, the awarding of winners and a gala-concert of the prize-holders will take place in the concert hall of Piotr Tchaikovsky Music School No 1 on 5 December. The contest was instituted by the Culture Ministry of Belarus, the fund of the President of the Republic of Belarus for supporting the talented youth, the cultural department of the Gomel oblast executive committee under the auspices of the cultural department of the Gomel town hall.

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