MONGOLIAN FIRST INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION TAKING PLACE

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Initiated by the Mongolian Ballet Development Foundation, the First Mongolia International Ballet Competition is taking place in Ulaanbaatar between May 30 and June 1 under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports with the support from the Department of Art and Culture of the capital city. The competition has many advantages towards individuals and professionals such as providing a chance for children, youth and professional dancers to assess and compare their skills, improving professional skills of teachers and coaches and create healthy competition. Organizers believe that the competition will show influence on tourism sector after a certain amount of time as the competition’s reputation, quality and number of participants increase. Founder of the Mongolia Ballet Development Foundation and State Honored Artist of Mongolia D.Altankhuyag highlighted that ballet art is about comprehensive training and development. It is fully possible for Mongolian dancers to exchange experiences with top dancers and talented children from seven countries who are challenging their skills in this competition. It is also significant for parents and participants to show off their skills in front of representatives from big world dance companies and receive an offer to work with them in the future. In this competition, some 80 children and youth from 10 cities of seven countries are competing in three age categories. The panel of judges includes Hero of Labor of Mongolia, People’s Artist and State Prize Laureate B.Jamiyandagva and other famous international judges from China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Singapore, and Germany. Principal dancer of Steats Ballett Berlin Company and judge Nadja Saidakova noted that it was her first visit to Mongolia as well as worked as a panel judge in the Second Mongolian National Dance competition, which was organized prior to the First International Ballet Competition. Before, I judged many dance competitions in different countries. During this competition, I noticed a lot of Mongolian children who are taking up ballet and it made me feel so proud of them. There are necessities to introduce what is rhythm and music to children. Also, it is necessary to teach children professional techniques and conduct professional training so that children’s skills will be improved. The International Ballet Festival will be organized biennially in Mongolia. Winner of Grand-Prix will receive a cash prize of USD 4250, gold medalist – USD 1500, silver medalist – USD 1000 and bronze medalist – USD 800. Moreover, winner ballet dancers will be able to participate in other international ballet competitions such as in the Republic of Korea in late June and in Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China in August. E.Altanzul