MINSK, 17 November (BelTA) – The Miss Universe 2024 finale is underway in the Mexico City, Mexico. At the beauty pageant Belarus is represented by Eleonora Kachalovskaya, the holder of the Miss Belarus 2023 title and the first Runner-Up title at the Miss Europe Continental 2023, BelTA has learned.
Top 30, Top 12 and Top 5 will be determined during the show but the contestants are to learn the jury’s decision only in the final. It will open with a joint dance performed by all the contestants. The audience will also be treated to an evening gown contest. Then the jury will decide whom to crown Miss Universe 2024. The crown will be presented by Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo from Nicaragua.
According to Director of the National Beauty School Bozhena Yeremich, the Miss Universe 2024 preliminary event took place on 14 November. The event featured contestants parading in swimwear, national costumes and evening gowns. A total of 130 countries are taking part in the contest.
Bozhena Yeremich said that she was in touch with Eleonora every day. “She, of course, has a very busy schedule, which includes preparations for the contest finale, a charity event, interviews, photo shoots. At the interview during the preliminary event, she talked about the country, herself and the charity project she was working on while preparing for the contest. The project is focused on the socialization of children with special needs,” she said.
The director added that at first Eleonora had some difficulties related to the language barrier and different time zone, but she was able to quickly adapt to the new conditions.
According to her, one of the brightest moments for the Belarusian beauty was the national costume contest. “It is noteworthy that it is not a traditional national costume, but a stage one. It should reflect an element of the country's national culture. Most countries have very colorful and eccentric costumes. Many countries presented their mythological images. For example, we chose the Fern Flower,” Bozhena Yeremich said.
The national costume designer Lidiya Malashenko said that the work on the costume was completed within two weeks. “I prepared several sketches, and the girls chose their favorite. It took me a week to make the costume. It was intense but very interesting creative work,” she said.
“We chose the Fern Flower, the symbol of Belarusian folklore. According to legends, it fulfills wishes. Eleonora does charity work, and for someone she can also be called a symbol of wish fulfillment. The prevailing color of the costume is green, which symbolizes the nature of our country. The gown is decorated with bright-colored flowers, which symbolize light,” the designer explained.
According to her, it was important to create a costume that would withstand a long flight and Eleonora would be able to put it on herself. “Before I knew very little about beauty pageants. In a short period of time I had to study the potic in detail. I am glad that I had a chance to engage in such an interesting project,” Lidiya Malashenko added.
Eleonora Kachalovskaya made friends with the contestants from Moldova and Russia, but in general there is a friendly atmosphere between all the contestants. The Belarusian beauty says she likes Mexico, but still she admits that she misses her native Belarus very much.
According to Bozhena Yeremich, the team, which stays in Belarus, roots for our contestant. “Eleonora is very strong. She realizes the responsibility that has been entrusted to her and does everything to represent the country the best. Miss Belarus 2023 is the embodiment of the Belarusian outer and inner beauty,” Bozhena Yeremich added.
Photos by BelTA and the National Beauty School
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