24 young talents, an international jury, and world music—the IV Viktor Tretyakov International Violin Competition opened in the regional capital.

On September 20, at the opening ceremony, a draw determined the order of the competition's performances. Young musicians from Russia, the United Kingdom, China, the Netherlands, and Japan will compete for the honor of receiving the main prize from the legendary Russian violinist Viktor Tretyakov.

Minister of Culture of the Krasnoyarsk Region Arkady Zinov:

— I am delighted that one of the world's most prestigious international violin competitions is being held in our hospitable Region. This competition gives residents of our city the opportunity to hear awe-inspiring performances from musicians from around the world. It is always wonderful to watch the competition develop and see that for some participants in past competitions, it has been an excellent platform for their international careers. Despite the sanctions and global situation, the competition maintains its international status. I hope that the geography of participating countries will only expand in the near future.

Russia will be represented by 18 participants this year, says Natalya Likhopoy, artistic director and conceptual architect behind the competition and professor at the Academy of Performing Arts:

— No surprise here that there will be a large number of participants from Russia at the Competition. [...] Applications were submitted from Europe and America, but they somewhat lost to our performers. I must say without mock modesty: musicians from our country are making progress. It will be interesting to watch how the young Russians compete. Of course, as always, there are worthy competitors from China.

As per tradition, the work of the panel of experts is chaired by the president of the Competition, People's Artist of the USSR, and Honorary Citizen of Krasnoyarsk and the Krasnoyarsk Region, Viktor Tretyakov. The jury of the IV Viktor Tretyakov International Violin Competition includes outstanding contemporary musicians, such as Natalya Likhopoy, Professor of the Academy of Performing Arts; Vadim Repin, People's Artist of the Russian Federation; Pavel Milyukov, Honored Artist of Russia; Fabio Mastrangelo, conductor and pianist; Mikhail Benyumov, Honored Artist of Russia and conductor; Daniel Austrich, violinist, conductor, teacher; and Roman Kim, a virtuoso violinist. Many of these world-renowned cultural figures are visiting Siberia and the competition for the first time, noting the growing interest in it in the global music community. Vera Tsu Weiling, Tenured Professor of Hong Kong Chinese University (Shenzhen) Conservatory, and Professor of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, shares her impressions:

— Time and again, I'm convinced that the Competition is only gaining momentum every year. Each new Competition, we see stronger participants still. I wish them all good luck. I'll be watching these concerts with great interest, because every musician here isn't just participating in the competition, they're performing their own concert.

The Viktor Tretyakov International Violin Competition is held biennially in the maestro's homeland with the support of the Russian Ministry of Culture and the Government of the Krasnoyarsk Region. The winner is determined by representatives of the world's leading music universities, headed by Viktor Tretyakov. Most of the competition's participants have extensive stage experience and are recipients of prestigious music awards, performing in the finest concert halls with renowned orchestras and conductors. In terms of the complexity of the program requirements, the number of rounds, and the status of the jury members, the Tretyakov Competition is comparable to leading international violin competitions. The jury, chaired by Tretyakov himself, includes outstanding contemporary violinists and professors from leading music universities around the world.