UMAI National Award – Contest
Dear friends!
As you know, national culture is the genetic foundation of any nation. In today’s globalization, we need to understand this even more deeply. By honoring our native culture, we preserve our spiritual identity and join the ranks of civilized countries with our own national values.
In this regard, the Ministry of Culture and Sports is establishing the UMAI National Award for the first time to further develop and promote the creative achievements of domestic ensembles and figures of culture and art.
We previously mentioned this exciting news in general terms. Today we want to elaborate on this award and fully acquaint you with the competition rules.
The total prize fund of the UMAI National Award, granted on a competitive basis, is 54 million tenge. The award will be presented at the end of this year to creative ensembles and individual performers of the country for outstanding creative and professional achievements during two theatrical-concert seasons, covering the period 2020–2021 and 2021–2022.
The award covers 4 main major directions:
theatrical arts;
musical performing arts;
choreographic arts;
fine and decorative-applied arts.
19 nominations have been established across these 4 directions.
Of these, 17 nominations within the specified directions provide monetary awards of 2 million tenge each, while winners of the “Best Musical-Dramatic Performance” and “Best Ballet Performance” nominations receive 10 million tenge each.
Now I would like to present each of the 19 nominations individually.
“Theatrical Arts” direction:
“Opera Art”;
“Acting Mastery”;
“Best Direction”;
“Best Artistic Design of a Performance”;
“Best Musical-Dramatic Performance.”
Among these nominations, we are establishing the “Best Artistic Design of a Performance” nomination for the first time. Often, set designers and stage artists remain in the shadows. We must fill this gap.
In the “Musical Performing Arts” direction, the award is given in the nominations:
“Best Traditional Song Performer”;
“Best Traditional Instrumentalist”;
“Best Musical Ensemble.”
In the “Choreographic Arts” direction:
“Best Dance Ensemble”;
“Best Ballet Performer”;
“Best Choreographer”;
“Best Ballet Performance.” The prize for “Best Ballet Performance” is 1 award of 10,000,000 tenge. That is, the prize is awarded to the entire creative ensemble.
In the “Fine and Decorative-Applied Arts” direction:
nominations for “Best Work of Decorative-Applied Art” and “Best Painter’s Work/Graphics.”
This art form, namely our brush masters, also often remains outside such awards. We must always support our artists. Through such projects, expansive canvases of the new era should be born.
Additionally, a special prize is also established within the national award:
- Special Prize — “For Best Children’s Performance.”
The organizer of the preparation and conduct of the competition is the “Astana Opera” State Opera and Ballet Theater.
Applications are accepted from now until December 9. Other necessary information is posted on the official websites of the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the “Astana Opera” State Opera and Ballet Theater.
We are confident that the UMAI National Award will give a new impetus to the creative community in identifying innovative trends in the development of domestic culture and national arts, promoting traditional art, and forming a unified cultural space of Kazakhstan.
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Previously, we announced the “Aiboz” national literary award for the first time to support literature and publishing. Today we are also informing you about the “Umai” award for the first time. Next month we will also announce the republican creative competition “Voice of the Steppe.”
A country with great art has great horizons.
May our native culture continue to hold a place of honor, and I wish boundless inspiration to all creators!