From May 10th to 13th, an international art competition-festival was held on the shores of the Adriatic Sea in the city of Rimini, organized by Fiestalonia Milenio. Three performance programs were presented: “World of Choirs,” “Sun of Italy,” and “Open Italy.” A total of 228 participants from 13 ensembles representing 9 countries came together to share their creativity and cultural experiences. The synthesis of original and traditional costumes, folklore and pop vocals, exotic and folk dances, as well as live music and choir performances, could be seen from the stage of the Tarkovskij Theater.
Vivid memories of this day can be seen in a steam video on the official Fiestalonia YouTube channel.
The competition day began with an exhibition of artistic works. The jury, consisting of Italian artists Andrea Speziali, Giovanna Minei and art critic Alessandro Giovanardi, evaluated the participants’ works based on several criteria:
- creative individuality and skill of the author,
- mastery of composition techniques,
- originality of the idea and execution,
- coloristic solution.
The jury’s consensus resulted in the following placements:
| Tilyaeva Malika Kuchkorova Hadicha Gayratova Maftuna Rakhmatullaev Kozimjon Bakhtiyor ugli Khikmatullaeva Afruza Amrulla kizi | Art | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| Tokhtieva Khamidakhon Rakhmatova Sabrina Nigmatov Abdulaziz Musaxanova Muhabbat Isroilova Ezoza Azimboev Zafarjon Jamshidovich | Art | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| Olimjonova Sofiya Mullajonov Sarvar | Art | Bronze diploma from 70 to 79 points |
In the evening, the Tarkovskij Theater hosted a competition that took place in three stages. The performances were observed by a professional jury of global level:
ANDREA ANGELINI. He began studying piano at the “G. Lettimi” Conservatory of Music from an early age, obtaining an academic diploma in piano at the Ferrara Conservatory. In parallel, he studied organ at the Pesaro Conservatory, composition, and choir conducting with Fulvio Angius, Peter Phillips, Michele Peguri, and Leonardo Lollini at the Academy of Arts in Rome, Oakham School (UK), and the Сonservatories of Adria and Cesena. He is the founder and artistic director of the Musicaficta Association, which has been operating since 2000 in Italy and abroad.
VALENTINA MONETTA. A professional singer and performer from San Marino who boasts years of great experience in the musical artistic field. She represented San Marino 4 times at the Eurovision Song Contest, 2012-13-14 and 2017. Warm and versatile voice, capable of moving in various musical genres and types of performances, also given his brilliant personality. She loves the stage, the contact with the audience, and the musicians, creating a fact in the “here and now” of the scene, makes her an active part of a unique artistic process, in which she takes the risk of transmitting a true and concrete feeling.
MARIO MARIANI. An Italian avant-garde composer and pianist helding concerts in four continents. His unconventional sounds span across contemporary music, theatrical performances, film scoring at the Cannes, Venice, New York and Berlin Film Festivals, as well as television. His compositions range from orchestral to real-time performances, with unconventional projects like his ‘extreme artistic residence’ of one month in a cave on the top of Monte Nerone gaining worldwide attention.
ROBERTO LORI. Dancer, choreographer, co-artistic director of the “Compagnia degli Istanti/CSB”, a contemporary dance company supported by the MIC and the Tuscany Region for almost 20 years. He began his dance studies in the Marche region, later moving to Rome where he trained at the Renato Greco Ballet. A creator of numerous acclaimed and beautiful choreographic works worldwide.
The evening at the Tarkovskij Theater kicked off with choir performances. Five ensembles showcased some of their best compositions, leaving the audience in awe and receiving loud applause. The Barcarolle Choir from London, UK, captivated the audience with their rendition of “Duetto di due Gatti – Gioacchino Rossini,” resembling a delightful musical purring of kittens.
The Ukrainian ensemble “Quartet Ruta-Miyata” impressed with the powerful voices of its four delicate ladies, earning applause for their folk song “Lebedonka,” based on the song material of the band “ETNOGEN,” arranged with beatboxing accompaniment.
The Turkish children’s choir CEVRE COLLEGE POLYPHONY CHOIR masterfully blended youthful voices with musical accompaniment. Another group from Turkey, the A Capella Fide school, brought two children’s ensembles to the competition. Conductor Sinem Bayraktar and accompanist Utku Ülker, along with the children, delivered a diverse repertoire ranging from classics to Turkish folklore, transforming on stage multiple times.
The second block of performances featured soloists and groups showcasing musical instruments. Participants from different age groups and countries demonstrated virtuosity on the piano, accordion, flute, and guitar.
The competition day concluded with vocal soloists and dance ensembles. Indonesian folklore, Uzbek nationals motifs, and Italian songs left no one indifferent. See the full list of winners below.
| A Capella Fide / ISTANBUL, TURKEY (folklore choir) | GRAND PRIX |
| Quartet “Ruta-Miyata” / CHERKASY, UKRAINE (folklore choir) Khalmatova Arina, DSHMI №21 / TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN (piano) Radzhapova Leyla, DSHMI №21 / TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN (piano) DUO Zarif Karimova and Nargiz Aliyeva/ BAKU, AZERBAIJAN (piano/flue) Zakharov Nikolai / ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN (guitar) Alexandr Filippov / ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN (guitar) SMA Islam Al-Azhar BSD / SOUTH TANGERANG, INDONESIA (folkdance) Dance group Sharq Yulduzlari / TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN (folkdance) SMA Islam Al-Azhar BSD / SOUTH TANGERANG, INDONESIA (folkdance) | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| A Capella Fide / ISTANBUL, TURKEY (children’s choir) CEVRE COLLEGE POLYPHONY CHOIR / ISTANBUL, TURKEY (children’s choir) Barcarolle Choir / LONDON, UK (female choirs) Bakhtiyorov Muhammadjon, DSHMI №21 / TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN (piano) Nurullaev Saidamirkhon, DSHMI №21 / TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN (piano) Artsem Krukouski / MINSK, BELARUS (accordion) Dmitriy Sevostyanov / ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN (guitar) Anastassiya Kuskova / ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN (guitar) Arman Yeleussov / ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN (guitar) Didenko Maxim / ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN (guitar) BareianVictor / CHISINAU, MOLDOVA (guitar) Dance group Sharq Yulduzlari / TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN (folkdance) Dance group Sharq Yulduzlari / TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN (folkdance) Kayumov Azimjon, DSHMI №21 / TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN (pop singing) Kulimova Farangiz – Dance group Sharq Yulduzlari / TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN (folkdance) | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| TRIO: Nadia Cinta Madani, Ariq Rabbani Suryalesmana, Ellena Sarah Trisnanto – SMA Islam Al-Azhar BSD / SOUTH TANGERANG, INDONESIA (folk orchestra ensembles) Pan Nikolay, DSHMI №21 / TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN (pop singing) Muhammad Dude Attaya Fauza – SMA Islam Al-Azhar BSD / SOUTH TANGERANG, INDONESIA (pop singing) Khalmatova Arina, DSHMI №21 / TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN (pop singing) Kayla Audila – SMA Islam Al-Azhar BSD / SOUTH TANGERANG, INDONESIA (folk singing) | Bronce diploma from 70 to 79 points |
Do you want to participate in the International Choir Contest “World of Choirs” 2025? Then follow the link and submit your application to participate!
