The festival ignites the stars!

      On March 28-29, the XXVI Interregional Festival of Children's and Youth Creativity "Northern Constellation" took place in Uren. This year, the event brought together talented participants from five northern districts of the region: Tonshaevsky, Vetluzhsky, Tonkinsky, Uren, as well as the urban district of Shakhunya.

      The "Northern Constellation" festival was organized by the deputies of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region A.F. Tabachnikov and D.I. Bakiyev with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. The administration of the Uren municipal district and the local branch of the "United Russia" party, as the hosting side, organized a hospitable stay for all participants of the event. The two-day festival program was filled with bright performances, where young artists showcased their talents in choreography and vocals. The performances were evaluated by a professional jury, which included leading specialists and educators with extensive experience in the field of culture. The jury carefully assessed each performance during the selection round and selected the best acts for participation in the festival's gala concert. This was a very challenging task, as there was a real creative competition among the participants. Young artists competed in three categories: "choreography," "vocal solo," and "vocal ensembles." More than 700 talented children and teenagers participated in the festival. A total of over 50 groups and more than 30 soloists performed! The highlight of the celebration was the gala concert of the festival, where the winners were announced and deserved awards were presented. The celebration began with a vibrant drumming show, immediately setting a dynamic and festive atmosphere. The Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, a member of the "United Russia" party faction in the Legislative Assembly, Chairman of the Regional Control Commission Denis Ildusovich Bakiyev, Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Alexander Felixovich Tabachnikov, and the head of the local self-government of the Uren municipal district Sergey Borisovich Babintsev addressed the participants and spectators with greetings. A.F. Tabachnikov stated in his speech: "This festival was not conceived yesterday. When it all started, no one thought that the festival would last this long. But here we are, 26 years in a row, this celebration continues every year. Therefore, this is a unique project. Thank you to everyone who makes this festival alive. I am sure it will continue to thrive." S.B. Babintsev noted that it is a great honor for the Uren municipal district to host a festival of this level on hospitable Uren land and thanked the deputies of the Legislative Assembly – the festival organizers – for this honor, as well as expressed gratitude for their support of children's and youth creativity in the northern districts of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

      The concert program of the festival, which included performances by the best groups and performers selected by a competent jury, amazed all guests with its high level. The audience witnessed the birth of a true constellation of talents. Each act was filled with creativity and inspiration, creating an atmosphere of a real celebration. The audience supported the young artists with loud applause.

      The climax and most exciting moment of the gala concert was the awarding of the festival laureates. But before that, the mentors of the young talents – educators and leaders of the groups – were awarded with letters of gratitude from the organizers of the celebration. It is no secret that behind every successful performance, behind every victory of a young artist, lies the enormous effort of the child themselves, as well as their mentor. It is the educators who undoubtedly believe in the talent of their protégés, open the doors of the world of creativity to our children, and help each young star shine. Among those who received gratitude were our Uren educators – leaders of children's creative groups from the Uren House of Culture, the House of Children's Creativity, and the children's music school named after V.B. Trifonov.

      The honorable right to present diplomas and gifts to the best of the best – the laureates of the festival – was given to the senior assistant to the deputies of the Legislative Assembly D.I. Bakiyev and A.F. Tabachnikov, Artem Andreevich Rybakov, and the head of the local self-government Sergey Borisovich Babintsev. Each award was met with enthusiastic emotions and applause from the audience. Each district cheered for their artists and actively supported them.

      Special attention deserves the success of our Uren kids! Our young talents represented the Uren district with dignity, winning a large number of awards in fierce competition. All of them demonstrated a high level of skill and talent. Their performances became the highlight of the festival and earned them well-deserved victories and applause from the audience.

      And the greatest reward! The presentation of the grand prize of the festival to the exemplary dance ensemble "Zhemchuzhinka" (led by I.S. Mazur) was accompanied by great joy and an explosion of applause from the entire hall. This high award is recognition of the great talent of the entire team, hard work, determination, and belief in their abilities. The collection of numerous accolades and awards of this already, without exaggeration, legendary creative team has been enriched with another high and prestigious prize. Here, one cannot fail to mention the skill of the leader – Irina Stanislavovna Mazur, who has nurtured more than one generation of young artists, investing her heart and soul into their development. A big thank you to her for that.

      In summarizing the festival, I would also like to express gratitude to the jury members for their hard work, objectivity, and professionalism. The jury's assessment is a stimulus for the further growth and development of our young talents.

      The celebration has ended, and the results have been summarized. The "Northern Constellation" festival has become an important and bright event in the cultural life of the northern districts of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the entire region. It has given both participants and spectators unforgettable impressions and vivid emotions. We believe that this children's holiday of creativity and talent will continue for many years and will delight us with the discovery of new talents.

      Larisa KABESHEVA

      Festival Laureates

      Exemplary Dance Ensemble "Zhemchuzhinka," led by I.S. Mazur

      • "Not a Tourist Route" – I degree laureate.

      • "I Will Bring the Dew in My Palms" – I degree laureate.

      • "Without You, My Autumn Would Be Empty" – I degree laureate.

      • "Whirlwind" – I degree laureate.

      M&M Dance Studio, led by A.A. Maslov and O.A. Maslova

      • "Neither Pass Nor Walk" – I degree laureate.

      • "On the Mountain" – III degree laureate.

      Vocal Studio "Inspiration," led by I.A. Vederinikova

      • Performance "Swallow" – II degree laureate.

      Vocal Ensemble "Gornitsa," led by I.N. Glazkova

      • Performance "Russian Spoons" – III degree laureate.

      Tatiana Smirnova, led by I.N. Glazkova

      • Performance "In the Green Forest" – I degree laureate.

      Vocal Ensemble "Strekoza," led by S.V. Osokina

      • Performance "Tenderness" – I degree laureate.

      • Performance "Paths and Trails" – III degree laureate.

      Victoria Ryabkova, led by S.V. Osokina

      • Performance "Because I Am Russian" – II degree laureate.

      Vlada Guseva, led by S.V. Osokina

      • Performance "Russia" – I degree laureate.

      Vocal Duo "Podruzhki" – Irina Vilkova and Ekaterina Kozlova, led by A.P. Danilova

      • Performance "Little Homeland" – I degree laureate.

      Ekaterina Kozlova, led by A.P. Danilova

      • Performance "Sound, People" – II degree laureate.

      Welcome Letter

      Evgeny Lyulin, Chairman of the ZSNO:

      – Dear friends! On behalf of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and myself personally, I welcome the organizers, participants, and guests of the XXVI Interregional Festival of Children's and Youth Creativity "Northern Constellation."

      For the twenty-sixth time, this bright and very spectacular holiday comes to the Nizhny Novgorod land, which our northerners eagerly await and before the charm of which neither old nor young can resist.

      This year, young singers and dancers are hospitably welcomed by Uren. This northern city will become a place of strength and inspiration for two days, where six northern districts will once again prove to everyone that their talents shine brighter than the stars! I am very glad to note that the "Northern Constellation" has appeared and has been shining for many years thanks to the support of the deputies of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Alexander Felixovich Tabachnikov and Denis Ildusovich Bakiyev.

      More than a quarter of a century – this is a solid period. During this time, the festival has become not just a showcase-competition of young talents, but one of the significant events in the cultural life not only of the northern districts but of the entire Nizhny Novgorod Region. It is no coincidence that many performers and groups