WHERE AND WHEN


Semi-final

April 28, 2025, 19:00, Moscow,
The Yauza Palace

Final

May, 1, 2025, 18:00, Moscow,
State Kremlin Palace, big stage

Artists


Competition winners 2025


Deborah Bowman USA
Deborah Bowman
Deborah Bowman USA

Deb Bowman is an award-winning vocalist, actress, and songwriter whose dynamic performances have captivated audiences worldwide. Born and raised in Alabama, Bowman’s musical journey began in the gospel church, where she first discovered her passion for singing and playing piano. With a career spanning stage, opera, television, and film, she is celebrated as one of the finest entertainers in both Atlanta and New York City. 

A highly respected vocal and acting coach, Bowman has nurtured countless performers. She recently released her fourth jazz album, and has earned recognition on the Grammy ballot in four categories, including Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best New Artist.

Yang Yujie, Zeng Zhao China
Yang Yujie, Zeng Zhao
Yang Yujie, Zeng Zhao China

Zeng Zhao, born in 1999 in Changsha, China, is currently studying vocal arts at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music. He has performed at renowned venues including the Moscow House of Music, Shanghai Opera House, and Zhengzhou Music Center, and in 2023 delivered an outstanding portrayal of the titular role in the opera Aleko. 

The artist expresses special thanks to the Road to Yalta festival for its dedication to art, transforming musical scores into eternal memories. It has strengthened his belief in music as a thread connecting civilizations.

 

Yang Yujie was born in Gansu, one of the most culturally diverse provinces in China. Passionate about music from an early age, she has dedicated her life to it. Currently, she is a student at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory and a laureate of several international competitions. In her free time, Yujie enjoys listening to Russian vocal music, with a particular fondness for the works of Sergei Rachmaninoff.

Emira Dakhlia Tunisia
Emira Dakhlia
Emira Dakhlia Tunisia

Born in Saint Petersburg to a Russian-Tunisian family. An opera singer, mezzo-soprano. Emira has been a soloist with the Tunisian National Symphony Orchestra since 2014. In 2017 she became the artistic director and founder of the choir of the Tunisian National Symphony Orchestra, and since 2020, she has served as the artistic director of the Tunisian National Opera Choir. In 2021 she founded Tunisia’s first vocal ensemble dedicated to performing vocal music from the Renaissance era to the present day. 

She actively pursues both concert and teaching activities in Tunisia. She has participated in concerts and international festivals in Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Tunisia, and Algeria. A laureate of international music competitions in many countries worldwide.

Emmanuel Forest France
Emmanuel Forest
Emmanuel Forest France

Emmanuel Forest was born and lives in Paris. He served as the CEO of a major French company until his retirement. He is a Knight of the French Legion of Honor. During the 2020 lockdown, he performed opera arias from his balcony, as well as Soviet wartime songs on May 9. He has a passion for translating Soviet songs and studying Russian culture. 

In 2022 he launched an international project with a singer from St. Petersburg, featuring Russian-French versions of popular songs to demonstrate that music has no borders! In 2015 Emmanuel celebrated the Victory Day in Moscow and promised himself to mark it there again in the jubilee year of 2025.

People's Choice Award
Emmanuel Désiré Boyer Côte d’Ivoire
Emmanuel Désiré Boyer
Emmanuel Désiré Boyer Côte d’Ivoire

My name is Emmanuel Désiré Boyer, and I come from Côte d’Ivoire. Passionate about music since childhood, I earned a bachelor’s degree in music and musicology, which allowed me to deepen my understanding of sounds and musical traditions. My style, which I define as Afro Fusion, blends traditional African rhythms with modern sounds, creating a unique and authentic musical identity. Over the years, I participated in a few international competitions and my work has been recognized through several awards. Alongside my music career, I work as a caregiver, a profession that allows me to stay close to people and support those in need.

Participants of the contest 2025


Ayoub Souane Kingdom of Morocco
Ayoub Souane
Ayoub Souane Kingdom of Morocco

Ayoub Souane is from Morocco, a country of sunshine, the sea, and hospitality. He is a student, musician, and songwriter. According to the artist, music is his life. He truly believes that music brings people together and breaks down the boundaries between countries and cultures. 

In his free time, Ayoub enjoys reading and traveling, as books and journeys help broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of the world. 

Family holds a special place in his life – he stays in touch with his loved ones regularly. Despite the distance, they support one another, and for Ayoub, this is the most important value.

Michael Batista Martínez (Michel Vega) Republic of Cuba
 Michael Batista Martínez (Michel Vega)
Michael Batista Martínez (Michel Vega) Republic of Cuba

Michael Batista Martínez, better known by his stage name Michel Vega, was born and raised in Cuba. He began his artistic career at the age of 15. Michel is a singer, songwriter, and music producer. Exploring a variety of genres – including salsa, jazz, bachata, and ballads – he has written over 300 songs for television series broadcast across Latin American countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and others.

Jelena Velimirovic Serbia
Jelena Velimirovic
Jelena Velimirovic Serbia

Jelena Velimirovic was born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia. She is currently a student at the "Mokranjac" Secondary Music School, specializing in the Ethno-music department, and is a member of several choirs and groups. Her repertoire includes ethno, religious, pop, and movie music. Among her most notable achievements is winning the laureate award at the National Music Competition of Secondary Music and Ballet Schools in Serbia. 

She has also performed at several artistic concerts and festivals, including the Festival of Russian Classical Music and Kustendorf CLASSIC. She holds a state scholarship in the field of ethnomusicology and is currently collaborating with members of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts on a paper about religious Orthodox Christian music.

Otgonbayar Barkh Mongolia
Otgonbayar Barkh
Otgonbayar Barkh Mongolia

Otgonbayar Barkh was born in the city of Choibalsan in eastern Mongolia, a place where Mongolia’s independence was defended in the battles of Khalkhin Gol and the Liberation War of 1945. He is a graduate of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology and works in the mining industry. Since childhood, Otgonbayar has been passionate about Soviet films and songs. The military songs hold a special place in his heart, for the feats and glory intevine in them with sorrow and tragedy, much like in the most powerful scenes from Soviet cinema. The Road to Yalta festival is famous in Mongolia, and Otgonbayar has always dreamed of participating in it. In his performance, he aims to honor the labor heroism of the Mongolian people during the Great Patriotic War and to pay tribute to the Mongolian veterans of the 1945 Liberation War.

Katerina Andreou Cyprus
Katerina Andreou
Katerina Andreou Cyprus

Katerina Andreou was born in Nicosia, Cyprus. She studied classical singing at the National Academy of Music «P. Vladigerov» in Bulgaria. Her repertoire includes classical arias and art songs, traditional Cypriot and Greek songs, as well as pop and jazz standards. She has participated in festivals and competitions in Cyprus and abroad, earning prizes. 

She works at the state music schools of Cyprus, teaching classical singing, and also performs at various events and concerts.

Irene Guglielmi Italy
Irene Guglielmi
Irene Guglielmi Italy

Irene Guglielmi, an Italian artist, singer, and producer, was born on the island of Elba in Tuscany. Music became a part of her life from an early age, as her parents recognized her calling and encouraged her first steps in this field. In 2003, while still very young, she reached the finals of the television show Amici di Maria De Filippi (Italy’s equivalent of Star Factory). This breakthrough paved the way for her to collaborate with legends such as Pupo, Andrea Bocelli, and the duo Ricchi e Poveri. 

Later, Irene established herself as a singer, actress, and dancer, working with renowned artists in popular Italian musicals. She has graced prestigious national and international stages in Milan, Venice, Sanremo, Malta, and Monte Carlo. Today, the artist successfully tours the world with her own show, performing songs in Italian, French, and English.

Adventina Delfia Gracia ButarButar Indonesia
Adventina Delfia Gracia ButarButar
Adventina Delfia Gracia ButarButar Indonesia

Adventina hails from Sidikalang, Indonesia. Her hobbies include watching movies, reading comics, and singing. She grew up participating in church vocal groups and choirs alongside her mother and her father, who is a priest.
During her school years, she frequently took part in singing competitions, which helped her develop as a vocalist. She enjoys performing pop songs and uplifting pieces, particularly those with heroic themes. Singing is a means of self-expression for her.
Adventina sees the Road to Yalta Festival as a unique opportunity to share her passion for singing with people from diverse cultures. The festival allows her to celebrate history and music, and honor the past through her voice.

Udit Saxena India
Udit Saxena
Udit Saxena India

Udit Saxena is a composer and singer-songwriter, born and raised in Bulandshahr, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, India. He completed his early education there before moving to the city of Mathura to earn a degree in Computer Science Engineering. After graduating, Udit followed his true passion, music, transitioning into a career as a freelance composer and singer. His vocal style and musical sensibilities have been shaped by Bollywood’s rich heritage. 

Udit has collaborated with some of India's leading music labels. Currently, he lives in Mumbai, the country’s entertainment capital, where he continues to compose and perform for the Indian music industry.

Georgia Katsivelou Greece
Georgia Katsivelou
Georgia Katsivelou Greece

Born and raised in Athens, the capital of Greece. After graduating from music school, she received a scholarship from the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Athens to study at the Krasnodar Institute of Culture. She is currently a postgraduate student at the Maimonides Academy in Moscow. 

Georgia is involved in numerous artistic projects in her homeland. She has worked in drama theaters, taught vocal performance, and composed music for theatrical productions. A laureate of international vocal competitions, she actively participates in festivals, organizes concerts, performs with wind orchestras, and sings leading roles in opera productions.

Daiane Cristina Marques da Silva (Dynna) Brazil
 Daiane Cristina Marques da Silva (Dynna)
Daiane Cristina Marques da Silva (Dynna) Brazil

Dynna was born in northern Brazil. She began singing in church choirs at the age of seven. At sixteen, she moved to Rio de Janeiro to begin her career as a professional singer and composer. Since then, she has performed in shows in many states across Brazil, as well as in Russia and Turkey. Her favorite music styles are Bossa Nova, MPB, Samba, Flashback, and Pop. She strives to bring a fresh sound to her songs by blending Brazilian, Latin, and international rhythms. 

Dynna is happy to participate in the Road to Yalta Festival and return to Russia, in a country that welcomed her warmly and left her with fond memories.

FESTIVAL DIARY


Songs of the festival 2025


Victory Day

Mysic by D.Tukhmanov. Lirycs by W.Kharitonov
Watch on youtube.com

A Ballade about a Soldier

Music by V.Solovyov-Sedoy. Lyrics by M.Matusovsky
Watch on youtube.com

Let's Have a Smoke!

Music: M.Tabachnikov. Lyrics: I.Frenkel
Watch on youtube.com

The Mishka from Odessa

Music by M.Tabachnikov. Lyrics by V.Dykhovichny
Watch on youtube.com

The Moscovites

Music: A.Eshpai. Lyrics: E.Vinokurov
Watch on youtube.com

We Only Need One Victory

Music and lyrics by B. Okudzhava
Watch on youtube.com

Upon a Summit with No Name

Music by V.Basner. Lyrics by M.Matusovsky
Watch on youtube.com

For that Fellow

Music by M.Fradkin. Lyrics by R.Rozhdestvensky
Watch on youtube.com

Little Flame

Music by M.Blanter. Lyrics by M.Isakovsky
Watch on youtube.com

The Cranes

Music: Y.Frenkel. Lyrics: R.Gamzatov (russian translation by N.Grebnev)
Watch on youtube.com

The Blue Shawl

Music by E. Petersburgsky. Lyrics by Y. Galitsky, M. Maksimov
Watch on youtube.com

Eternal Light

Music by R.Khozak. Lyrics by E.Agranovitch
Watch on youtube.com

In the Dugout

Mysic by K.Listov. Lirycs by A.Surkov
Watch on youtube.com

It’s Time to Set Forward

Music by V.Soloviev-Sedoi. Lyrics by S.Fogelson
Watch on youtube.com

A Moldavian Dark Woman

Music by A.Novikov. Lyrics by Y.Shvedov
Watch on youtube.com

Katyusha

Mysic by M.Blanter. Lirycs by M.Isakovsky
Watch on youtube.com

COMPETITION JURY 2025


Lev Leshchenko
Lev Leshchenko

Singer, People’s Artist of the RSFSR
Chairman of the jury

Michael Shvidkoy
Michael Shvidkoy

Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation

Michael Kovalchuk
Michael Kovalchuk

President of the National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute»

Denis Maidanov
Denis Maidanov

First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Culture,
Honored Artist of the RF

kaymetov
kaymetov

Singer, composer,
Honored Artist of the RF

Zara
Zara

Singer,
Honored Artist of the RF

Alexander F. Sklyar
Alexander F. Sklyar

Musician, TV host,
Honored Artist of the RF


INFORMATION PARTNERS


Reviews of the festival 2025


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