14 July, Vitebsk /Alexander Sam - BELTA/. A member of the jury of the International Pop Song Performers Contest "Vitebsk-2012", Alexander Tikhanovich, notes the high professional level of young artists participating in the contest. He expressed this opinion today at a press conference, sharing his impressions of the performers' presentation held on the evening of July 13, BELTA correspondent reports. "The contest of young performers will be a headache for the jury. I am sure of this, because after yesterday's audition of the artists, we realized that they are all singers! I feel that the jury will have to work hard," said Alexander Tikhanovich. The maestro wished all contestants creative strength so that they could "at the right moment and minute convince the jury members and the audience that they are not accidental people in art, that they have a bright future." As previously reported, a draw for the performers took place in Vitebsk on July 13. Belarus's representative, Yevgeny Slavich, drew number 8. Slavina Kalkandzhieva from Bulgaria will open the contest. Russia's Anastasia Kozlova was assigned number 16, and Ukraine's Galina Konakh - 13. 20 young performers took part in the draw instead of the 21 declared. Nika Antolos from Croatia did not manage to obtain a visa and was withdrawn from the competition program. On the first day of the contest, young talents will perform on the stage of the Summer Amphitheatre to a backing track "minus one", and on the second day, July 15, they will perform accompanied by the National Concert Orchestra of Belarus under the direction of maestro Mikhail Finberg.-0-

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