Gazprom EP International Supports Living Classics Contest in Netherlands
This is the second year when Gazprom EP International is a title sponsor of the national stage of the international contest for young readers Living Classics in the Netherlands.
The event was held on YouTube on 20 March under the supervision of Svetlana Kononova, Project Monitor in the Netherlands, and the Russian Community Council. This season is unique. The Living Classics contest celebrates its 10-year anniversary!
Just as in the previous year, the participants enchanted and captured the hearts of the jury members with their choice of works, emotional impact on the audience, well-bred speech, text comprehension, and artistic recitation.
All members of the independent jury, whose composition was carefully determined by the organizing committee, underscored the quality of the contestants’ recitals, proficiency in the Russian language, casual and warm ambiance of the event as well as the children’s sincere love for the Russian language and literature.
This year’s jury was represented by Sergey Latyshev, the choir conductor, Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau, and Soglasije сhamber choir conductor; Darya Zueva, a singer and a theatre, film and musical actress, vocal and voice coach; Anna Bilenka, a writer and content marketing expert; and Ekaterina Kulikova, a manager for art, literature and theatre events.
Three children were announced winners of the national stage of the contest. Anna Nakopia took the first place. She splendidly recited an excerpt from War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Kira van Mensvoort beautifully told the story about Manyunya by Narine Abgaryan and took the second place. The third place was won by Sergey Ryabov who astonished the jury with his recital of an excerpt from In the Country of Unlearned Lessons by Liya Geraskina.
All contestants received diplomas, flowers, books and sweet gifts from the sponsors.
Background
The international contest for young readers Living Classics is an event for reciting excerpts from the prose of Russian writers. Contestants range in age from 10 to 17 years old. The contest has been held for 10 years already. Its purpose is to promote and preserve the Russian language and Russian culture abroad. The Living Classics Foundation is a founder and organizer of the contest.
This year, the winners of the national stage who are 14 and older become participants in the educational trips to the historical places of Russia — Hello, Russia! These trips will be organized by Rossotrudnichestvo though the Government Commission on Compatriots Living Abroad. The winners under 14 years old are welcome to attend the online school of the Shchukin Theatre Institute during the summer holidays.
