VITEBSK, 15 July (BelTA) - Raluka from Romania has won the Grand Prix of the 9th International Junior Song Contest Vitebsk 2011 that was held within the framework of the International Arts Festival Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk, BelTA has learnt. Apart from a special prize and a diploma, the winner got $5,000. The first prize ($3,000) and a diploma were presented to Kuralai Meirambek from Kazakhstan. The second prize ($2,000) was shared by Valeria Chuvizova from Latvia and Gentleman from Azerbaijan. The third prize ($1,000) was shared by Belarus’ entry Alexandra Nekhai, Martin Iordanov from Bulgaria and Mariana Shcherbak from Ukraine. The awarding ceremony took place in the Vitebsk Concert Hall on 15 July. Special awards of the Union State of Belarus and Russia were presented to Anna Atroshchenko from Belarus and Olga Kozozoyeva from Russia. The head of the jury Sergei Shustitsky said at the awarding ceremony that all the participants are winners. The International Junior Song Contest Vitebsk 2011 is part of the Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk festival. Taking part in the competition were 23 young singers from 20 countries. The founders of the competition - Belarus, Russia and Ukraine - can be represented by two participants.

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