The grand ceremony was kicked off with an onstage waltz dance. Among the glitterati gathered for the event - prominent actors, film directors, musicians, singers, journalists, businessmen – was football star Cristiano Ronaldo who had arrived in Tashkent the day before to give a master class as part of the Fund Forum’s Young Footballers Support Program.

M&TVA Award Ceremony is considered one of the most significant and glittering cultural events in Uzbekistan. The award was established in 2006 by the Fund Forum, Guild of Authors and Performers, and TVM Channel, becoming the country’s first nongovernmental award in entertainment arts. Winners are selected by the broad public thorough SMS-voting and on www.mtva.uz website as well as by a jury panel composed of prominent culture and art figures of Uzbekistan. Each award winner was given a statuette, a diploma and prize money.

This time, the awards were doled out in 16 nominations. Specifically, the titles of Best Male Singer of the Year and Best Female Singer of the Year went to pop singers Avazbek Olimov and Manzura. Janob hechkim (Mr. Nobody) has clinched the award as the Best Film of the Year. Legendary ballerina Galiya Izmailova and national artist of Uzbekistan, musician and composer Abdukhoshim Ismailov were given the award for outstanding contributions to the development of culture and art. In the nomination ‘The Best Show of the Year’, the award, handed by the special guest Grigoriy Leps, went to Yangi avlod (New generation) Children’s Creativity Festival.

Grigoriy Leps, a famous Russian singer, habitually wearing classical clothes and dark glasses, performed several songs and extended his congratulations to those gathered on the upcoming holidays.

The ceremony, including the winners in the other nominations, their impressions and emotions, will be broadcast on New Year’s Day on TVM TV Channel.

The music part of the ceremony consisted of joint performances by Uzbek pop singers, dances by the winners of Yangi avlod Children’s Creativity Festival and Kelajak ovozi (Voice of the future) Talented Youth Contest. The blend of contemporary and traditional tunes, live singing, skilfully created video images as well as an impressive performance by gymnasts rendered the evening unforgettable.