MINSK, 18 March (BelTA) – A ceremony to launch the AURA Stars School’s national campaign Believe in Yourself was held at Minsk Secondary School No. 199, BelTA has learned.
The organizers of the campaign designed to bring warmth and smiles to children and the elderly were the directors of the AURA Stars School, Honored Artist of Belarus Yulia Bykova and Honored Art Worker of Belarus Evgeny Oleinik. They said that the idea for the campaign had been brewing for a long time but finally took shape when they established the stars school. “Charity concerts became regular then. We had at least two concerts a year - a summer one at the National Library and a New Year's one at Prime Hall. These concerts were intended for children facing difficult life situations: some had medical issues, others social ones. When we saw our students interacting with the children who came to the concerts, we understood that we were not living in vain and that this was truly an important mission,” Yulia Bykova shared.
Another impetus for formalizing the campaign and composing the main song that begins the concerts was a casting held at the school last year. “Among the kids was one boy who was limping. It was obvious that he had a medical issue, but otherwise he was an ordinary boy who sang well. We accepted him, and during a conversation with his mother, it turned out that Yaroslav Berezin has cerebral palsy. The prognosis in childhood was bleak, but thanks to music lessons, he started to move and even dances a bit on stage when he sings. Yulia burst into tears and I suggested ‘let’s do it’ and the song Believe in Yourself was literally written in half an hour on a plane. That's how the Believe in Yourself campaign came about, which is about how music helps you believe in yourself and your own strength," Evgeny Oleinik shared.
This year, the school’s artists have already held several concerts, and today the ceremonial opening took place at Minsk Secondary School No. 199. The audience consisted of children from various families in the Frunzensky District of Minsk. Four children came with their parent-educator, Lyubov Kleshchukevich. She noted that such musical support is no less important than any other: “In our lives, it’s important to sing and to go out. Children need to get out and have fun because you need to live a full life.” The children in their family are creative: the older ones, Kira and Sasha, do dancing; Yulia does drawing; and Artur does programming. “Creativity is always about development. You need to give children the opportunity to develop in any direction, especially in arts," Lyubov Kleshchukevich is convinced.
The children themselves were happy to participate in the concert. 16-year-old Kira noted that she loves different kinds of music: “I listen to slow music, sad music, happy music, and even fierce music.” She noted that the success of other kids on stage inspires her to reach new heights in her own hobby. She was supported by 11-year-old Aleksandra, who came to the concert to have a truly good time.
For the young artists, this concert was also a celebration. Nine-year-old singer Sofia Novoselova noted: “I've been doing music since I was 4 years old and I love performing jazz and fast compositions the most. It feels very nice to create a mood, because music can make the audience believe in themselves and do what they couldn't do before.”
According to Evgeny Oleinik, the campaign was supported by the Presidentl Administration and the Council of the Republic. Inna Zhuk, Chairperson of the AURA Stars School Board of Trustees, added that the campaign receives financial support from Belarusian socially responsible businesses. The children are given not only a great atmosphere but also nice gifts to remember the occasion.
In total, about 50 charity concerts for children and the elderly are planned across the country as part of the campaign. According to Angelina Pushkar, Director of the AURA Stars School, the upcoming locations for the campaign are Duyanovsky Social Residential Home, Stolin, and Logoisk. “In addition to residential homes and rehabilitation centers, we are invited to community centers. These will be big concerts,” she said.
Angelina Pushkar shared that they approach each event with special attention, carefully selecting the repertoire: “If it's a concert for children, we always try to choose more popular, youth-oriented compositions. If it’s a concert for children, we always try to choose more popular, youth-oriented pieces. We definitely add interactive elements so that our artists can interact with the children and provide them with emotional support. We want the audience to have a quality time. If it's a concert for pensioners, we try to select a more 'Soviet' repertoire, something familiar and close to their hearts."
In conclusion, Yulia Bykova emphasized that people need warmth and emotions. When children give this warmth and receive it back, it becomes a meaningful mutual exchange. Therefore, the Believe in Yourself campaign will take place in all corners of Belarus
Photos by Vitaly Pivovarchik
The organizers of the campaign designed to bring warmth and smiles to children and the elderly were the directors of the AURA Stars School, Honored Artist of Belarus Yulia Bykova and Honored Art Worker of Belarus Evgeny Oleinik. They said that the idea for the campaign had been brewing for a long time but finally took shape when they established the stars school. “Charity concerts became regular then. We had at least two concerts a year - a summer one at the National Library and a New Year's one at Prime Hall. These concerts were intended for children facing difficult life situations: some had medical issues, others social ones. When we saw our students interacting with the children who came to the concerts, we understood that we were not living in vain and that this was truly an important mission,” Yulia Bykova shared.
Another impetus for formalizing the campaign and composing the main song that begins the concerts was a casting held at the school last year. “Among the kids was one boy who was limping. It was obvious that he had a medical issue, but otherwise he was an ordinary boy who sang well. We accepted him, and during a conversation with his mother, it turned out that Yaroslav Berezin has cerebral palsy. The prognosis in childhood was bleak, but thanks to music lessons, he started to move and even dances a bit on stage when he sings. Yulia burst into tears and I suggested ‘let’s do it’ and the song Believe in Yourself was literally written in half an hour on a plane. That's how the Believe in Yourself campaign came about, which is about how music helps you believe in yourself and your own strength," Evgeny Oleinik shared.
This year, the school’s artists have already held several concerts, and today the ceremonial opening took place at Minsk Secondary School No. 199. The audience consisted of children from various families in the Frunzensky District of Minsk. Four children came with their parent-educator, Lyubov Kleshchukevich. She noted that such musical support is no less important than any other: “In our lives, it’s important to sing and to go out. Children need to get out and have fun because you need to live a full life.” The children in their family are creative: the older ones, Kira and Sasha, do dancing; Yulia does drawing; and Artur does programming. “Creativity is always about development. You need to give children the opportunity to develop in any direction, especially in arts," Lyubov Kleshchukevich is convinced.
The children themselves were happy to participate in the concert. 16-year-old Kira noted that she loves different kinds of music: “I listen to slow music, sad music, happy music, and even fierce music.” She noted that the success of other kids on stage inspires her to reach new heights in her own hobby. She was supported by 11-year-old Aleksandra, who came to the concert to have a truly good time.
For the young artists, this concert was also a celebration. Nine-year-old singer Sofia Novoselova noted: “I've been doing music since I was 4 years old and I love performing jazz and fast compositions the most. It feels very nice to create a mood, because music can make the audience believe in themselves and do what they couldn't do before.”
According to Evgeny Oleinik, the campaign was supported by the Presidentl Administration and the Council of the Republic. Inna Zhuk, Chairperson of the AURA Stars School Board of Trustees, added that the campaign receives financial support from Belarusian socially responsible businesses. The children are given not only a great atmosphere but also nice gifts to remember the occasion.
In total, about 50 charity concerts for children and the elderly are planned across the country as part of the campaign. According to Angelina Pushkar, Director of the AURA Stars School, the upcoming locations for the campaign are Duyanovsky Social Residential Home, Stolin, and Logoisk. “In addition to residential homes and rehabilitation centers, we are invited to community centers. These will be big concerts,” she said.
Angelina Pushkar shared that they approach each event with special attention, carefully selecting the repertoire: “If it's a concert for children, we always try to choose more popular, youth-oriented compositions. If it’s a concert for children, we always try to choose more popular, youth-oriented pieces. We definitely add interactive elements so that our artists can interact with the children and provide them with emotional support. We want the audience to have a quality time. If it's a concert for pensioners, we try to select a more 'Soviet' repertoire, something familiar and close to their hearts."
In conclusion, Yulia Bykova emphasized that people need warmth and emotions. When children give this warmth and receive it back, it becomes a meaningful mutual exchange. Therefore, the Believe in Yourself campaign will take place in all corners of Belarus
Photos by Vitaly Pivovarchik
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