Mini Eurovision in Vilnius Region

Polish Song Festival for Children and Schoolchildren  The Association of Polish Teachers in Lithuania: “School Matrix” (“Macierz Szkolna”) held for the 14^th time the Polish Song Festival for Children and Schoolchildren.

61 students from 38 Polish schools of Vilnius and Vilnius Region qualified successfully for the aforementioned contest. The participants were divided into five age categories: children aged 8 and under, children aged 8-11, 11-13, 13-16 and the youth up to the age of 18.

“We are delighted to see that children have been developing their music skills since their youngest years and that they are willing to sing. We are pleased that their image on the stage represents such a high level, especially taking into consideration their young age. This festival is by all means necessary, as it is a summary of their work of the whole year, it is also a unique event which enables children to present their stage experience” – exclaimed Jerzy Krupiczewicz, the headmaster of the School of Arts in Rudamina.

The performances of the participants were assessed by the president of the committee, Jerzy Krupiczewicz, alongside Jasia Mackiewicz and Walentyna Trusewicz.

“I used to prepare the contestants for the previous editions of the contests and this is the first time I have been a member of the committee. It was extremely hard to select the winner but eventually we all succeeded in making the ultimate decision” – commented Jasia Mackiewicz, the member of the committee, Music teacher and educationist of the Józef Obremowski High School in Mejszagole.

“I would not like to compare our competition to Eurovision, as I do not fancy the latter. To my mind, ours is an exceptional celebration of Polish poetry, our children learning Polish at the Polish schools and Polish song as well” – remarked Krystyna Dzierżyńska, the deputy director of School Matrix, and the organizer of the festival. The tablet computer was the major prize for the winner.

Source: http://pl.delfi.lt/kultura/kultura/mini-eurowizja-na-wilenszczyznie.d?id=61398047

Tłumaczenie by Joanna Mirek w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Joanna Mirek within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.