Dushanbe, November 27, 2021: The Bactria Cultural Centre has organized the National Song Contest "Bob's Music Award" that is mainly funded by the Government of Switzerland. Other sponsors such as the Open Society Institute, the Hotel Serena, OXUS and Asia-Plus are also supporting this event. The latter provided the on-line platform for the final concert.
Annual Live Concert "Bob's Music Award" has become a tradition to Tajikistan
Press releases, 30.11.2021
The project aims to reflect the existing musical diversity in Tajikistan and at the same time promote the creativity of youth. This project is named after Bob Leverington, former head of the Department of International Development of Great Britain in Central Asia, in recognition of his work for Tajik artists. The "Bob's Music Award" provides an opportunity for new and little-known performers to present their work to the public.
The competition gives a chance to unknown young people to voice their talent in their own style or native language.
It contributes to strengthen an open society, and present the admirable diversity of cultural expression.
This year, the contest allowed 22 young talents to perform on the "big stage" for the first time. They were singing songs with different music genres and languages such as Tajik, Kyrgyz, Pamiri, Russian and English. This song contest demonstrated the diversity of cultures in Tajikistan as singers were coming from Dushanbe, Khujand, Istravashan and Murghab. The young musicians acknowledged the project helped them to boost their creativity by preparing their authored songs.
The Jury gave selected winners according to three nominations, such as "Best Voice" by Dilorom Ubaydulloeva, "Best Performance" by Trevor Harris, and "Best Song" by Nekruz Pironov.
Switzerland has a long-standing presence and is one of the key supporters of the culture sector in Tajikistan. Through the Swiss Cooperation Office, further support to the art and culture sector will be offered in the future for promoting social diversity and new ways of expression.