More than 600 children from 9 countries took part in the International Youth Art and Dance Olympiad held on 9 and 10 December at the Russian cultural and information centre in Sofia – from Bulgaria, Serbia and Russia, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Italy, Kazakhstan and China. The competition events were divided into four categories – instrumental performance, vocals, stage and social dance.

The event was organized by the Balkan Alliance, an NGO registered in Sofia and in Belgrade with representatives in different countries, seeking to unite the nations through culture, art and education.

Here is Evgenia Trofimchuk, president of the organization and vice-president of the World Arts & Dance Alliance in Moscow with more about the tasks and aims of the Balkan Alliance:

“This geostrategic cultural project (arts and dance olympiads) aims to develop and maintain the traditions of friendly relations among the Balkan countries, Russia and Europe. We work with young people, endeavouring to instill in children and young people moral values. We teach them to be friends, to communicate with one another, which gives the Balkans, this complex region, a chance of a good and peaceful future, and we have received support in all countries.”

For its international projects the Balkan Alliance is relying on the local government structures, NGOs and foundations, the ministries and embassies of the countries taking part. Evgenia laid emphasis on the importance of providing the young participants with conditions that will make them feel they are artists, and to organize an event on such a scale it takes, more than anything else, enthusiasm by the organizers and by the participants.

The Balkan Alliance has already held arts and dance festivals in Sofia – Balkan Generation. The International Youth Art and Dance Olympiad project has been held for two years, the first year in Belgrade, and after Sofia, the forum will be hosted by Nis and Thessaloniki in March and April 2018.

Evgenia Trofimchuk is a renowned choreographer, modern dance producer and director; she was born in Norilsk, Russia, where she studied choreography and cultural management. She has also worked as TV host and has been leader of dance companies. From 2003 until 2010 she worked in Bulgaria as choreographer and producer for TV shows and organized dance schools. In 2010 she moved to

Belgrade, where she has been working with the Serbian Association of Dance Organizations.

“The stage is art for a person by himself, whereas organizing events of this magnitude is a way to help a lot of people achieve fulfilment. It is something that boosts the self-esteem, provides energy and lends a meaning to life,” says Evgenia Trofimchuk about her work on the International Youth Art and Dance Olympiad.

Photos: Elena Paskalova and bgr.rs.gov.ru