The Festival serves as a platform for children aged 6 to 14 to demonstrate their skills in playing classical and national instruments, singing, dancing, fine and applied art, poetry and literature. Now in its seventh year, the Festival is organized by the Fund Forum with support from Kamalak (Rainbow) children’s organization and the Ministry of National Education of Uzbekistan.

Applications for participation were accepted from September 1 to October 1. Over 23,000 boys and girls across the country have submitted applications this year. All told, around 72,000 young talents have participated in the Festival since its start seven years ago. In regions, applications were submitted to regional offices of Kelajak ovozi (Voice of the future) Youth Initiative Centre and Kamolot, which enables talented youngsters in remote parts of the country to show their worth. The jury formed in Tashkent is responsible for selecting the most talented youths in regions. Those found the most promising during the selection rounds proceed to the republican stage of the Festival. This year there are around 650 of them.

The Festival’s republican round, which is known as a sort of a “star factory”, will take place in Tashkent from 13 to 16 November. The finale in Tashkent will feature leading children’s teams and young talents from each region of the country, who emerge as winners of the Festival’s regional rounds. The finalists’ performance will be judged by a jury panel at the State Conservatory on November 13, 14 and 15. All the performances and auditions are open to public. The songs will be performed live.

On November 16, a group of professional directors, choreographers and other specialists will work with the best participants of the Festival’s republican rounds and prepare them for the final gala concert. In addition, while in Tashkent the finalists will attend cultural events with the participation of musicians, singers, actors and arts professionals, organized in an effort to make the young talents’ experience memorable.

The final gala concert of Yangi Avlod will be held on 17 November at Tashkent’s Istiqlol Palace, where the festival laureates will share the big stage with Uzbek pop stars. They will be awarded diplomas and grants and will continue to receive support from the Fund Forum.