Years pass, decades go by, but the songs that were popular in the sixties, became hits of the 80s, still remain beloved. The secret of their popularity is that they are dedicated to the love of their native land, the beauty of bright human feelings. They still lift spirits and leave no one indifferent. With what enthusiasm we sing songs that were once performed by Mikhail Boyarsky, Yuri Antonov, VIA "Plamya", "Samotsvety", "Pesnyary", "Verasy"... Beloved works are filled with deep meaning, imbued with special sincerity and purity. These wonderful songs were sung by our parents and are now sung by the youth.
The district festival of patriotic songs "Songs of the Youth of Our Parents" was held in our town for the fourteenth time this year. Students of city schools, students of the agricultural technical college, vocational lyceum, as well as working youth, wished to demonstrate their stage skills, artistry and vocal abilities at the event.
More than sixty years have passed since the end of the Great Patriotic War, but the cruel ordeal still echoes with burning pain in people's hearts. The first part of the festival was dedicated to the theme of war. The audience met with generous applause the performance of a duet consisting of Alena Svidunovich and Alyona Popova, who performed a medley of songs from the war years. A lyrical mood was given to the audience by the singing of Alesya Pishchugina, a student of secondary school No. 1, with the song "Clouds in Blue". Alesya Yunitskaya from the Staysky rural House of Culture wonderfully performed the song "Cranes". The audience met Eduard Padobed with generous applause with the song "Victory Day". The audience was impressed by the poignant lyricism and touching chords during the performance of Anastasia Kanapelka with the song "Forgive me, Grandpa!", and Alena Karpitskaya, a student of the E. Yerashov Gymnasium, with the song "Waltz on Golgotha".
The performances of Alena Svidunovich, and students of the Borovskaya secondary school Katerina Dubnovitskaya, Elizaveta Kulakova and Kristina Duk, left no one indifferent.
The second part of the festival was dedicated to hits. Well-known melodies of songs "Zhaŭranački", "Kalina", "Dzŭchata", "Malitva", "Snilas' мне…" flowed from the stage. The audience met Alena Karpitskaya's performance with generous applause with the song "Natur boy" from the musical "Moulin Rouge". "Eternal Love", "Tenderness", "Call me, call me...", "Hey, Sailor!" -- songs that were popular in the eighties, again gave the audience many pleasant minutes.
As noted by the Head of the Youth Affairs Department of the District Executive Committee, Andrey Pshonka, the performance level of the festival participants has significantly increased. Each performance was characterized by individuality, brightness, and creative flair, making the selection of a winner very challenging.
Festival participants were evaluated in several nominations and age categories. In the "Vocal Soloist" nomination, within the 14 to 16 age category, the first place was taken by Alena Karpitskaya, a student of the I. Ershov Gymnasium. The second place was awarded to Alesya Pishchugina, an eleventh-grader from Secondary School No. 1. In the 16 to 18 age category, in the "Vocal Soloist" nomination, the first place was taken by Viktoria Romashko, a student of the Belarusian National Technical University. In the same nomination, within the 18 to 24 age category, the first place was taken by Eduard Padobed, a student of the agricultural technical college, and the second place by Anastasia Kanapelka. In the 24 to 31 age category, in the "Vocal Soloist" nomination, the first place was awarded to Alena Svidunovich, a teacher at the Lepel Children's Art School, and the second place to Alesya Yunitskaya. In the "Vocal Ensemble" nomination, the winners were a trio from Borovaya Secondary School, consisting of Ekaterina Dubnavitskaya, Elizaveta Kulakova, and Kristina Duk, as well as a duet comprising Alena Svidunovich and Alyona Popova. The festival participants were awarded Diplomas and valuable gifts from the event organizers.
It is very pleasing that our singers captivated not only the residents of the district but also the region with their vocals. The winners of the district festival of patriotic songs "Songs of Youth of Our Parents" took part in the regional qualifying round, which took place in Shumilinsky District. Alena Svidunovich and Alyona Popova became finalists of the qualifying round. It is they who will represent Lepel region in the final round of the regional festival of patriotic songs "Songs of Youth of Our Parents," which will be held in Orsha.
Alyona Papova was born and raised in the Lepel region, in the village of Zaslonava. The young creator became interested in music and vocals in her childhood, and gladly learned to play the bayan at the Zaslonava Music School. The girl took an active part in various creative competitions. And now Alyona recalls her first victory in a district vocal competition. At that time, the little singer was only six years old. After graduating from nine grades of secondary school, Alyona entered the Novopolotsk Music College, where she obtained the specialty of "Choral Conducting, Folk Choir". The young teacher works at the Lepel Children's Art School by assignment, heads the children's vocal group, teaches music theory and solfeggio to the young students of the art school in the agro-town of Vyaliki Polsvizh. In addition, she works with young vocalists in the "Svetlana" pop studio of the district House of Culture.
Alyona Svidunovich also cannot imagine her life without musical creativity. The girl was born in Polotsk. Here, in her hometown, she studied at the art school and was a member of the vocal-instrumental ensemble "Runy" created at the school. The young vocalists participated in various festivals and competitions and gained popularity among many fans of musical creativity not only in the region but also in the republic. Alyona also graduated from the Novopolotsk Music College and came to work in the Lepel region by assignment, where she works as a choir director at the children's art school. The vibrant performances of the young vocalists are well known to the residents of our district and adorn many events.
-- A song is always born in the soul. It inspires a person, helps them overcome all life's difficulties and trials, and gives faith in their own strength, -- notes Alyona. -- It is very pleasant that our performance was highly appreciated. We hope that the pieces we perform at the final stage of the regional festival will not leave the audience indifferent.
Svetlana SILVANOVICH
In the photo: participants of the final round of the regional festival "Songs of Youth of Our Parents" Alyona Svidunovich and Alyona Papova.
Photo by the author
