The Nihol Prize, established at the initiative of the head of our state in 2000, is awarded to young performers aged between 17 and 25 with aim to stimulate their mastery in the variety, music, classical, dance and opera arts and their enthusiastic creative activities on the way to create works capable of reaching the bottom of the heart of our compatriots and calling on the youth for kindness.

At the same time, the Nihol Prize is instrumental in discovering new talents, assisting them in presenting their creativity on the big stage and providing them with comprehensive support.

Since 2006, selection for the Nihol Prize is carried out in a three-tier system. Its major objective is to promote the artistic creativity of young people residing and creating in remote areas of the nation, UzA reported.

In accordance with the 3 November 2011 Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on bolstering the efforts in the arrangement of contest for the Nihol Prize of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan among the gifted youth, the competition is held once in two years. This facilitates the composition of new songs and music works with high ideational-artistic level, the further improvement of the system of support for talents and, by means of this, the elevation of the Nihol Prize prestige.

In the qualifiers for the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and the city of Tashkent, which were held in 2012, a total of 12,134 young performers vied for the Nihol Prize. 155 young artists have reached the Republican stage.

During the national stage that took place on 14-16 July in the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, the contestants displayed their skills in song, music, variety, opera and dance arts. Winners of this prize are to be granted opportunity to enroll at a higher education institution suiting their sphere bypassing exams and tests, under a government scholarship, along with a special statuette “Nihol” as well as a money prize equivalent to 70 minimal salaries.

Names of new winners of the Nihol Prize are announced ceremonially, and they are awarded diplomas and prizes.

A gala concert with the participation of art masters and new Nihol Prize winners followed the ceremony.

The winners of the contest are:

- Nauryzbek Mahamadiyarov (Republic of Karakalpakstan), Abdullah Shirinov (Kashkadarya region) in the direction of the opera

- Eldor Guliamov (Andijan), Dilfuza Kobilova (Bukhara region), Zulhumor Mamarasulzoda (Jizzakh region) in the direction of classic songs

- Guzal Jumaniyazova (Navoi), Gulasal Abdullayeva (Namangan), Sherzod Artikov, Umida Hodjaeva (Tashkent), Nodira Abdurakhmanovf (Tashkent region) in the direction of pop music

- Feruza Khodjanov (Samarkand region) in the direction of dance

- Umida Hamidova (Syrdarya), Jayhunbek Matmuratov (Khorezm region) in the direction of classic songs

- Kahramon Gulyamdjanov (Tashkent) in the direction of music and ensemble Uzbek national musical instruments "Nihol" arts college Fergana (Fergana).

A gala concert with the participation of art masters and new Nihol Prize winners followed the ceremony.