Winners of belly dance tournament on Caspian seashore announced

By AzerNews

The best dancers were chosen in Azerbaijan at the European cup and championship on belly dance, presented in the country by the International Dance Organization, the local Modern and Social Dance Association and the Azerbaijan Youth Union on September 6-8.

During the three-day competition held on the Caspian seashore, participants from across Europe vied in three disciplines, including "Folk", "Show" and "Classic", in nine nominations and in several age categories -- from kids under 6 to grown-ups.

The event brought together visitors and participants from Europe, as well as observers from the International Dance Organization.

The dance extravaganza, full of bright colors, beaded costumes, beautiful Oriental tunes and breathtaking dance, took place on a specially built platform.

Another platform was built for the international "Silk Way" championship, which was held on the same day and at the same place.

Modern and Social Dance Association head Aziz Azizov says, "It was very hard work, but I hope we coped with it properly. We are glad that the International Dance Organization for the first time entrusted to us organizing an event of such a high level. I hope we have met the expectations of our international partners and we will be again entrusted with conducting a number of such events."

The board of judges included President of the All Russian Dance Organization and Vice President of the International Dance Organization Andrey Kokoulin, President of Belarus Dance League Oleg Yazvin, President of Ukraine Dance Board Irena Bous as well as other judges from Azerbaijan, Italy and Turkey.

Russian dancers won in most of the nominations, in both the adults and children's categories.

Thus, junior winners of the "Folk" discipline, Polina Sherbakova, Alina Seregina and Olesya Grobova, are from Russia. The first place in this discipline in the adults category was won by Elena Perova, a dancer from Russia, while the second place was taken by Veronica Maas from Azerbaijan, and the third one went to another Russian participant, Eleanora Karina.

The "Show" discipline was won by Russian children -- Alina Seregina, Polina Sherbakova and Sabina Gadjibabayeva. In the adults category, Azerbaijani dancer Veronica Maas ranked third, while the winner was Russia's Anastasia Astanina, and the second place was taken by Eleanora Karina.

The "Classic" discipline was won by Russia's Alina Seregina, Polina Sherbakova and Olesya Grobova. The winner in the adults category was Elena Perova (Russia), Ganna Ovechkina (Ukraine), and Svetlana Milaya (Russia).