On Monday, February 17, Penza State University hosted the opening of the XIV International Competition Festival of Musical Performance "Silver Lyre". The competition auditions will run until February 19. The gala concert of laureates and diploma winners will be held on March 4. 

The event was opened by Olga Surina, Director of the Institute of Teacher Education, PSU. The participants were also greeted by Elena Krasovskaya, Chairman of the festival jury, Professor of the Department of Musical and Performing Arts of the Institute of Fine Arts, Moscow State Pedagogical University, and members of the jury - Marina Osenneva, Head of the Department of Methodology and Technologies of Pedagogy of Musical Education named after E. B. Abdullin, the Institute of Fine Arts of Moscow State Pedagogical University, and Viktor Demidov, Professor of the Department of Academic Singing, Saratov State Conservatory named after L. V. Sobinov.

After the official part, a practical seminar "Russia and China: Dialogue of Cultures" was held. In their reports, scientists, teachers, and master’s degree students gave speeches about the cultural traditions of the two countries, highlighted the regional stylistic features of Russian song folklore, and also dwelt in detail on the children's game folklore of Russia and China. 

"Silver Lyre" is held in four nominations: instrumental and vocal performance, conducting, and accompanist skills. Musicians of different age categories take part in the festival.

The event continued with competitive listening and viewing of video recordings sent by participants from different parts of Russia and China.

Irina Matveeva, senior lecturer of the Department of Music and Methods of Teaching Music, the Institute of Teacher Education, PSU, created a whole performance, which was a celebration of two cultures: Chinese and Russian. It was full of colorful folk costumes, songs, dances and games.

"We thank everyone who was involved in today's event! And on this optimistic note, we burst into a new competitive selection. We wish all participants victory and worthy rivals, and the jury of the competition - fruitful work!" said the organizers.

The Silver Lyre will continue with competitive auditions on February 18 and 19. On the last day, a joint meeting of the jury and the organizing committee will also take place, where they will select 15 best performances for the gala concert.

The competition performances will be assessed by a highly professional jury: Elena Krasovskaya, Chairperson of the jury, Professor of the Department of Musical Performing Arts, the Institute of Fine Arts, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences (Moscow); Viktor Demidov, Professor of the Department of Academic Singing, Saratov State Conservatory named after L. V. Sobinov, soloist of the Saratov Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation (Saratov);  Marina Osenneva, Head of the Department of Methodology and Technologies of Pedagogy of Music Education named after E. B. Abdullin, the Institute of Fine Arts, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, Honorary Worker of Education of the Russian Federation (Moscow); Tatyana Shipilkina, Head of the Department of Music and Methods of Teaching Music, Institute of Teacher Education, Penza State University, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education (Penza).