In July 2025, the Italian city of Rimini once again became the heart of international creativity, welcoming participants to the prestigious festivals “Sun of Italy” and “Dancing Italy” organized by Fiestalonia Milenio. This year’s events brought together talented performers from Armenia, Latvia, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Indonesia, and Bulgaria, celebrating artistry without borders.
Diverse Categories and Performances
Participants competed in multiple categories, including Choreography, Vocal Arts, Original Genre, and Instrumental Music. The competition day took place on July 4th at the Teatro Tarkovskij in Rimini, where more than 150 participants showcased their talents on stage.
Professional Jury
For over five hours, a distinguished panel of judges evaluated performances with great precision and professionalism. The jury featured prominent figures in Italian culture and arts:
- Laura Mungherli – Founder and Artistic Director of Center Stage a.s.d.c., certified classical dance teacher (Royal Academy of Dance, London), and experienced director with a rich background in dance, music, and vocal arts.
- Diego Cardelli – Esteemed classical dance teacher at Ateneo Danza and Center Stage in Pesaro, member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, and holder of the prestigious Enrico Cecchetti Diploma.
- Susanna Polzoni – Multifaceted performer and creator, internationally recognized singer, instrumentalist, actress, director, choir conductor, and composer, regularly serving as a jury member at major festivals.
Grand Prix Winners
The Grand Prix of the festival was proudly awarded to the dance ensemble:
Al-Izhar – Indonesia Group / INDONESIA
- Teacher: Gema Citra Nusantara
- Choreographer: Gema Citra Nusantara
And also among vocalists we had another the Grand Prix Winner of “Sun of Italy” Festival:
Balchugova Aleksiya / UZBEKISTAN
- Teacher: Aliyeva Kamilla
Their captivating performance earned the highest recognition, marking a shining moment for Indonesian dance and the strong voice of Uzbekistan on the international stage.
| Balchugova Aleksiya / UZBEKISTAN – “Animals” | Vocal | GRAND PRIX |
| Aliyeva Alima / UZBEKISTAN – “This is girl” Adilova Mary / UZBEKISTAN – “Namangan olmasi” Tusheva Mira / UZBEKISTAN – “Tabita” Balchugova Aleksiya / UZBEKISTAN – “Bound to you” Alondwe Ndlovu / SOUTH AFRICA – “African Dream” Bulakh Stefaniya / UZBEKISTAN – “Jazzman” Alondwe Ndlovu / SOUTH AFRICA – “Ave Maria” Rorisang Mokgatla / SOUTH AFRICA – “We Can’t Be Friends” Sheralieva Kamila / UZBEKISTAN – “Baby tonight” Dané Brauns / SOUTH AFRICA – “For The First Time In Forever” Marioné Engelbrecht / SOUTH AFRICA – “Rebel Heart” Rorisang Mokgatla / SOUTH AFRICA – “Something Inside So Strong” Marioné Engelbrecht / SOUTH AFRICA – “Easy On Me” | Vocal | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| Tusheva Mira / UZBEKISTAN – “Grandmother” Kayumova Miya / UZBEKISTAN – “I wanna be love” Bulakh Stefaniya / UZBEKISTAN – “Bohemian Rapsody” Ayvazova Arina / UZBEKISTAN – “Bella Chiao” Adilova Mary / UZBEKISTAN – “Proud Corazon” Kayumova Miya / UZBEKISTAN – “Santa Lucia” Bulakh Stefaniya / UZBEKISTAN – “Maybe I Maybe You” Ayvazova Arina / UZBEKISTAN – “Mama” Ayvazov Artyom / UZBEKISTAN – “Litoliano” Mamutova Gulbakhar / UZBEKISTAN – “Cosa sey” Marioné Engelbrecht / SOUTH AFRICA – “Evil Like Me” Ayvazov Artyom / UZBEKISTAN – “Ya tebya lyublyu” Marioné Engelbrecht / SOUTH AFRICA – “Blown Away” Mamutova Gulbakhar / UZBEKISTAN – “Fire to the rain” Alondwe Ndlovu / SOUTH AFRICA – “Trust In You” Sheralieva Kamila / UZBEKISTAN – “Summertime” Dané Brauns / SOUTH AFRICA – “How Can A Moment Last Forever” Alondwe Ndlovu / SOUTH AFRICA – “Opportunity” | Vocal | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| Julia Kulinska / POLAND – Marta Mołodyńska – Wheeler „An Evening Tale” Jan Ekier, „Humoreska” Op. 3 no 2 Ludomir Różycki, „Prelude in A major” Op. 2 no 1 | Instrumentalists (piano) | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| TRIO: Neli Stankov, Evita Pavlova and Simeon Simeonov – Drama School / BULGARIA – THE TRAGEDY OTHELLO OF SHAKESPEARE | Original Genre (short theatrical piece) | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| Al-Izhar – Indonesia Group / INDONESIA – “Ramphak Geulumbang Dance” from Aceh | Choreography groups and soloists | GRAND PRIX |
| Al-Izhar – Indonesia Group / INDONESIA – “Colours of Indonesia Dance” Yura Martirosyan / ARMENIA – Man Variation from the ballet “Nutcracker” Elya Aslanyan / ARMENIA – Variation from “Grand Pas Classique” Gagik Karapetyan / ARMENIA – Flames of Paris male variation Grisha Sargsyan / ARMENIA – Variation from Carmen Nvard Avanesyan / ARMENIA – Variation from the Sen Sans Vahe Babajanyan / ARMENIA – Variation of Blue Bird from the ballet “Sleeping Beauty” Yura Martirosyan / ARMENIA – “Shalakho” from the ballet “Gayane” Joshua Nieuwoudt / SOUTH AFRICA – “Million Cash” DUO: Kayumova Miya, Ayvazova Arina – Aladdin Kids / UZBEKISTAN – “India” Kara Kniep / SOUTH AFRICA – “Abra-OeLaLa” | Choreography groups and soloists | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| Anisija Sujedova – Choreographic ensemble Kolorit / LATVIA – “Break my heart myself” Kara Kniep / SOUTH AFRICA – “Lyrical Embrace” Alise Makarenkova – Choreographic ensemble Kolorit / LATVIA – “Catching Fire” Joshua Nieuwoudt / SOUTH AFRICA – “Going On Tour” Kara Kniep / SOUTH AFRICA – “Latin Radiance” Choreographic ensemble Kolorit / LATVIA – “Africa” DUO: Elya Aslanyan and Yura Martirosyan / ARMENIA – “The torch” from the ballet “Gayane” QUARTET: Marta Krevica, Laura Petrova, Agnese Platpīre, Ieva Kļaviņa – Choreographic ensemble Kolorit / LATVIA – “Lipka” | Choreography groups and soloists | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
These festivals once again demonstrated that “Sun of Italy” and “Dancing Italy” are not just competitions but also a vibrant platform for cultural exchange, creative growth, and international recognition.
Do you want to participate in the International Choreographic Contest “Dancing Italy” 2026? Then follow the link and submit your application to participate!
See you at the next festival!