Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- As the selection rounds of Yangi Avlod Children’s Art Festival across Uzbekistan have concluded, as many as 668 talented boys and girls from all parts of the country are readying to show their worth at the finale of the festival on 23-25 November at the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan and the College of Arts in Tashkent. The festival will culminate with a gala concert on November 28 at Istiqlol Palace of Arts.

On 14-15 November, the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan played host to the final, Tashkent selection round, which featured 965 boys and girls. At the upcoming finale, Tashkent will be represented by 52 contestants.

The main performances were judged by jury members on 14 November at the Conservatory. The dancers’ performances featured interesting ideas, movements, complex choreographic elements and a variety of stage costumes. Some dance teams presented their performances at the recently held International Choreography and Sporting Dance Competition.

The young artists presented works they had created based on themes set by the jury, while the vocalists not only performed songs prepared for the contest, but also sang off the cuff at the request of the jury. Equally intense and exciting were the performances by participants in other categories: classical and national instruments, poetry, literature and script writing. All the works are recited and song performed without lip-synching, while the auditions and competition-based art shows are open to the public.

The Tashkent round held on 15 November announced 52 semi-finalists, who were saluted with diplomas and presents and now have the opportunity to compete with the other 616 semi-finalists from Uzbek regions at the upcoming finale, which will feature a total of 668 boys and girls.

Applications to the festival were submitted from 1 July through 10 October 2012. This year, the festival drew 30,128 entries from boys and girls from all over Uzbekistan. All told, roughly 128,000 youngsters have participated in the festival since it was launched in 2004.

Yangi Avlod (New Generation) Children’s Art Festival, a major project overseen by Fund Forum, is dedicated to discovering and supporting young talented boys and girls in Uzbekistan. Organized annually by Fund Forum with support from Kamalak (Rainbow) children’s organization and the Ministry of Public Education, the competition attracts children aged 6-14, who demonstrate their skills in classical and national music instruments, singing, dancing, fine art, applied art, poetry and literature.

The winners of Yangi Avlod are honored with diplomas, grants and prizes, and enjoy benefit-based opportunities to join schools where they can further hone their skills. Fund Forum provides further support for the contest winners while providing opportunities to participate in international events.

The success of the contest has led to the establishment of children’s art centers in Tashkent and Samarkand, where over 2,000 children are currently attending free training sessions on computer literacy, acting, drawing, needlework, singing, dancing and chess.