In one evening, the capital of Kazakhstan became the cultural center of the region. Astana hosted the grand finale of the first Asian vocal mega-project Silk Way Star („Star of the Silk Road“), in which the winner was Mongolian Michelle Joseph.
Silk Way Star is an unprecedented television project, the development of which over 10 episodes was watched by millions of viewers in Kazakhstan and abroad. A welcoming speech from the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was read at the finale of the project by State Counselor of the Republic of Kazakhstan Erlan Karin.
"Silk Way Star is a unique initiative designed to promote the development of spiritual interaction between Asian countries and strengthen the bonds of friendship between our peoples. The project has become a brilliant example of cultural diplomacy, presenting the traditions and creative achievements of our countries,” the president’s address said.
The final show was the culmination of a multi-week creative marathon and demonstrated a high level of vocal art, stage production and international cooperation, turning the project into a significant platform for cultural exchange between the countries.
The scale and format of Silk Way Star are already being compared to major world music competitions, including Eurovision.
The final program featured seven leading performers representing Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and Uzbekistan. Each participant performed songs in their native language, showing the diversity of their people’s cultural heritage and vocal style. The finalists presented bright productions, carefully crafted visuals and original stage looks, created by a Kazakh team of stylists especially for the grand finale, as well as throughout the project.
People's Artist of Kazakhstan Dimash Kudaibergen announced the winner of the first Asian vocal project Silk Way Star in Astana. “The winner of the project “Silk Way Star“ - Mongolia – is Michel Joseph“, announced Kudaibergen.
He received the statuette from Dimash Kudaibergen. The diploma was presented by Wang Delu, partner of the Television and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and head of the editorial office of the Eurasia Bureau of the China Media Group. The certificate was presented by Raushan Kazhibayeva, Director of the Television and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
„This year, in June, at a meeting between the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassam-Jomart Kemelovich Tokayev and the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, a document was signed to launch an international music project with the participation of 12 countries. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Erlan Tinimbayuli for inventing this idea and for the great trust placed in the TV channel „Jibek Jolie“. I also sincerely thank our Chinese colleagues from China Media Group and its director Shen Haixun for their comprehensive support of the project. The finalists were trained with the participation of Kazakh vocal teachers, choreographers, directors, stylists and technical personnel. “The show featured unique creative solutions and special productions, which made the grand finale truly spectacular and memorable“, said Raushan Kazhibayeva.
The winner of the first season of “Silk Way Star“ was determined by a mixed system: 50% of the jury was made up of professionals and 50% by online audience voting held at silkwaystar.org.
The grand finale was broadcast live on “Jibek Joly“ TV. Simultaneous broadcasts were also held in Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia.
During the project, millions of viewers around the world followed the participation of talented performers in this international vocal mega-project.
“Silk Way Star“ is an important cultural project that goes beyond the framework of an ordinary vocal show. It is a multinational forum for music and culture aimed at strengthening bridges between the countries of Eurasia and promoting artistic exchange. The coming weeks will show how far the ambitious vision of the project can materialize and have a lasting effect.
The Silk Way Star project was implemented under an agreement between the Television and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the China Media Group (CMG).