The ball is organized annually in the Japanese Garden in Tashkent by the Fund Forum, the Women`s Council and partners, and concludes the string of events dedicated to the International Child Protection Day. A brainchild of Gulnara Karimova, the project seeks to help discover and support children`s artistic skills and to raise funds for social and charitable projects.

The parade of mothers and their children was greeted by clowns and movie and cartoon characters such as Aladdin, Rapunzel and Spiderman, with a song about happy childhood in the background. The costumes at the balls are sincere smiles and joy on children`s faces while for their parents this is an opportunity to return to the colorful and carefree world of childhood they leave behind.

Rashid Halikov, singer: “Our family, especially our children, look forward to this holiday every year. My four-year-old daughter starts dressing up for the event from early morning. It`s just wonderful that the organizers give so many positive emotions to children and their parents. Look how happy all these children are. It`s good that more and more children are brought here every year. Once again, a big thank you to the organizers for making our children happy.”

The ball was divided into five theme stations. At the entrance into the Japanese Garden, the traditional venue for the ball, visitors could find “We can draw” play station, which drew 105 little artists and thus became the most popular section of the ball. Prominent painter Akmal Nur was in charge of the section and taught the kids little tricks in painting.

Alexandra Sergiyenko, “Event-Era” event agency: “This charity ball is one of favorite projects. First, the project has a noble essence as the organizers give children a fairy-tale holiday and teach them to help other people. Every year the event agenda becomes more colorful and enriched with new activities. We are responsible for the section for the smallest kids where you can see cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse and Smeshariks.”

Next comes “Disco dancer” play station where prominent choreographer Sergei Zlotnikov taught little kids popular dance moves. Later on, the little ones demonstrated the moves they mastered to an exciting song by singer Samarkand. The children`s songs that were performed during the ball included “Smile”, “Chunga changa”, “Childhood” and others. “I can sing” station featured prominent singers Oybek & Nigora and Nilufar Usmonova.

Guzalya Karimova, 26: “This is the first time I have participated in this ball, and to be honest, I feel like a child myself. I and my son have tried put several play stations, and look at the smile my son has on his face. It`s amazing that children today have the opportunity to attend such wonderful events like “In the Name of Life” children`s ball. It would be great if this sort of ball were held more than once a year.”

Nilufar Usmonova, singer: “It is these actions that should accompany children`s early steps. This sort of event teach children to be kind people and teach them skills at the same time. I believe these children will become social and open people. The ball broadens their world outlook as they learn of so many interesting things here. Personally, I feel honored to be participating in this noble project for a third time in a row and to see how the project picks up momentum each year and becomes better. The Fund Forum is doing a great job!”

Two new play stations “I am a designer” and “Crafts workshop” have been added to the ball program. Here the kids have the opportunity to paint clay plates and figurines, create ceramic items on a potter`s wheel and apply their designer skills on T-shirts. Fashion designers Kanishka and Denis Tomilin, and musician Rashid Halikov were the children`s teachers at these play stations.

Malika Sharifjanova, 6: “I`m drawing flowers on T-shirts. I`m holding a glue spraying pistol. I use it to glue stones and flowers to T-shirts. I`m very happy that my mom brought me here. Everything is so beautiful here. This is an awesome place to be and there are so many beautiful children here.”

KANISHKA, designer: “I`m participating in this project for the first time. The organizers set up a new station, “I am a designer”, where I and my colleague Denis Tomilin try to give the kids design and fashion-related skills. We have brought lots of interesting things which we give to the kids for them to use here: acryl paints, brushes, white T-shirts on which they can draw patterns. We also have leather wristbands which they can paint, fabric patches and beads. And I just hope they will enjoy these activities and learn many fun skills.”

Among the other sections that the ball offered are “Hipsters”, “I am a conjurer”, “Young reporter” and “I am a photo model”. It was with a keen and sincere interest that the children watched and listened as their “instructors” showing them tricks.

The key event of the holiday was a ceremony to award the little “alumni” of the play stations as part of the concert, which was followed by a charitable auction. The proceeds from the auction go toward supporting orphanages as well as developing children`s art centers across the country. The charity auction is the most important part of the project. The auction lots are presented by famous performers, art professionals and Gulnara Karimova herself.

Toward the end of the charity ball, Gulnara Karimova, the chairperson of the Fund Forum`s Board of Trustees and the author of the project, expressed kind remarks and wishes to the participants. In what was a culmination of the event, everyone made a wish and launched colorful balloons into the sky.

Dilbar Abdullayeva, a housewife: “We have participated in each edition of the Ball since its start. My girls look forward to it every year because this is a special day for them. I`m happy that children grow as part of holidays with so many positive emotions and useful activities. I want to say a big thank you to the organizers of this ball on behalf of all women and parents.”

Kamola Mukhtarova, Director General of “Sunday” Recreation and Entertainment Agency: “We have tried to contribute to this charitable event by helping design the children`s playgrounds and play stations. We have done our best to make sure that every child smiles and laughs here as they see the abundance of colors, balloons and fairy-tale characters made of balloons. We really hope that our opportunities will allow us to participate in the charity balls in the future and that our contributions will help make children`s dreams come true.”

The Charity Ball is organized by the Fund Forum and the Women`s Council in partnership with Bella Terra and Baby Terra magazines, TV Markaz channel, Sakura Project art studio, “Sunday” Recreation and Entertainment Agency, “ALS Family” holiday planner, “Reginight” art studio, as well as several private schools and kindergartens such as Oltin Qanot (Golden wing), Leader, and The Future Generation among others.

Thanks to the balls held in 2008, 2009 and 2010, sixty-five orphanages across Uzbekistan have been provided with school belongings, warm clothing, electric appliances, personal hygiene products and foodstuffs made available by the Women`s Council. Over 4,000 children have benefited from these activities. Also, funds donated by parents last year were channeled into the development of social and charitable projects. More specifically, beneficiaries included children with hearing and eyesight problems as well as children with polio.