On June 5, 2025, a press conference dedicated to the launch of the I International Performing Arts Competition-Festival “Symphony of Kindness” took place at the Republican Media Center Sakhamedia.
The event was attended by Afanasiy Ivanovich Noev, Minister of Culture and Spiritual Development of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia); Sergey Alexandrovich Khatylikov, First Deputy Minister for External Relations and Interethnic Affairs of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia); Nadezhda Mikhailovna Zaikova, Rector of the Higher School of Music of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia); Pavel Andreevich Vaskovsky, Artistic Director of the State Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and conductor of the Higher School of Music Symphony Orchestra; Alexander Mikhailovich Indeev, Executive Director of the Competition-Festival; and Svetlana Vladimirovna Vdovenko, Vice-Rector for Academic and Research Affairs of the Higher School of Music and coordinator of the competition.
The “Symphony of Kindness” will be held in Yakutsk from June 23 to 30, bringing together performers of academic music from regions of Russia and countries of the Asia-Pacific region. The competition program includes 18 categories covering key fields of performing arts: piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, academic singing, and chamber ensemble. Participants will be musicians aged 12 and older. The live competition auditions will be held at four venues in Yakutsk: the Higher School of Music, the Yakutsk Ballet School, Children’s Art School No. 1, and Children’s Art School No. 2.
The competition is organized by the Higher School of Music of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) with the support of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, and the Russian Commission for UNESCO Affairs. The competition is included in the Ministry of Education’s list of events for the 2024/2025 academic year.
During the press conference, the key goals and objectives of the competition were presented, highlighting its unique format, educational and cultural programs, as well as prospects for future development. Special attention was given to the competition’s importance in establishing a sustainable system of professional support for young performers, developing cultural infrastructure in the region, and strengthening interregional and international cooperation in the humanitarian sphere.
A significant part of the event was the speech by Pavel Andreevich Vaskovsky, Artistic Director of the State Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and conductor of the Higher School of Music Symphony Orchestra. He spoke about the current activities of the student symphony orchestra and plans to create the First Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Far Eastern Federal District. The new ensemble will be formed based on the results of the Competition-Festival and will serve as a platform for large-scale creative, touring, and educational projects, as well as participate in the grand closing ceremony of the “Symphony of Kindness.”
Participants of the press conference noted that the competition has received strong federal-level support and represents a logical continuation of the Higher School of Music’s long-standing strategy to develop academic art and promote young performers. The competition program includes masterclasses, lectures, discussion sessions, and meetings with experts from leading universities and international organizations.
The “Symphony of Kindness” competition-festival is positioned as a next-generation cultural platform — a space for professional dialogue, educational exchange, and intercultural cooperation aimed at strengthening humanitarian ties in the Asia-Pacific region.
The event was attended by Afanasiy Ivanovich Noev, Minister of Culture and Spiritual Development of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia); Sergey Alexandrovich Khatylikov, First Deputy Minister for External Relations and Interethnic Affairs of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia); Nadezhda Mikhailovna Zaikova, Rector of the Higher School of Music of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia); Pavel Andreevich Vaskovsky, Artistic Director of the State Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and conductor of the Higher School of Music Symphony Orchestra; Alexander Mikhailovich Indeev, Executive Director of the Competition-Festival; and Svetlana Vladimirovna Vdovenko, Vice-Rector for Academic and Research Affairs of the Higher School of Music and coordinator of the competition.
The “Symphony of Kindness” will be held in Yakutsk from June 23 to 30, bringing together performers of academic music from regions of Russia and countries of the Asia-Pacific region. The competition program includes 18 categories covering key fields of performing arts: piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, academic singing, and chamber ensemble. Participants will be musicians aged 12 and older. The live competition auditions will be held at four venues in Yakutsk: the Higher School of Music, the Yakutsk Ballet School, Children’s Art School No. 1, and Children’s Art School No. 2.
The competition is organized by the Higher School of Music of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) with the support of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, and the Russian Commission for UNESCO Affairs. The competition is included in the Ministry of Education’s list of events for the 2024/2025 academic year.
During the press conference, the key goals and objectives of the competition were presented, highlighting its unique format, educational and cultural programs, as well as prospects for future development. Special attention was given to the competition’s importance in establishing a sustainable system of professional support for young performers, developing cultural infrastructure in the region, and strengthening interregional and international cooperation in the humanitarian sphere.
A significant part of the event was the speech by Pavel Andreevich Vaskovsky, Artistic Director of the State Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and conductor of the Higher School of Music Symphony Orchestra. He spoke about the current activities of the student symphony orchestra and plans to create the First Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Far Eastern Federal District. The new ensemble will be formed based on the results of the Competition-Festival and will serve as a platform for large-scale creative, touring, and educational projects, as well as participate in the grand closing ceremony of the “Symphony of Kindness.”
Participants of the press conference noted that the competition has received strong federal-level support and represents a logical continuation of the Higher School of Music’s long-standing strategy to develop academic art and promote young performers. The competition program includes masterclasses, lectures, discussion sessions, and meetings with experts from leading universities and international organizations.
The “Symphony of Kindness” competition-festival is positioned as a next-generation cultural platform — a space for professional dialogue, educational exchange, and intercultural cooperation aimed at strengthening humanitarian ties in the Asia-Pacific region.

