Lukashenko awards Grand Prix of children's contest "Vitebsk" to Kazakh performer Sherkhan Arystan

Sherkhan Arystan, a young performer from Kazakhstan, has won the Grand Prix of the XXI International Children's Music Contest "Vitebsk", BelTA informs.

Sherkhan Arystan received the award from President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the opening ceremony of the XXXII International Arts Festival "Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk".

The jury of the contest gave 12-year-old Sherkhan Arystan maximum marks on both days - 70 points each. As a result, he surpassed all his rivals and received 140 points. On the first day he performed Ama, Credi e Vai ("Love, Believe and Go") by Andrea Bocelli, David Foster and Amy Foster. The young performer showed powerful vocals and wowed the audience and jury. Sherkhan confessed that he dreams of becoming a pop star, so that everyone in his native Kazakhstan would know him from small to large.

Belarusian Sofia Rustamova conceded only 4 points to the leader of the contest. On the first day of the contest her score was 66 points, and on the second day a song in Belarusian language brought her the desired maximum of 70 points.