July 6, 2011
“In the Name of Childhood” Charity Ball, one of the most awaited children`s events, on June 6 drew over 1,500 children and their parents. The ball is organized annually in the Japanese Garden in Tashkent by the Fund Forum, the Women`s Council and partners, and concludes the string of events dedicated to the International Child Protection Day. A brainchild of Gulnara Karimova, the project seeks to help discover and support children`s artistic skills and to raise funds for social and charitable projects to support mother and children.
The parade of mothers and their children was greeted by clowns and movie and cartoon characters such as Aladdin, Rapunzel and Spiderman, with a song about happy childhood in the background. The costumes at the balls are sincere smiles and joy on children`s faces while for their parents this is an opportunity to return to the colorful and carefree world of childhood they leave behind.
The ball was divided into five theme stations. At the entrance into the Japanese Garden, the traditional venue for the ball, visitors could find “We can draw” play station, which drew 105 little artists and thus became the most popular section of the ball. Prominent painter Akmal Nur was in charge of the section and taught the kids little tricks in painting.
Next comes “Disco dancer” play station where prominent choreographer Sergei Zlotnikov taught little kids popular dance moves. Later on, the little ones demonstrated the moves they mastered to an exciting song by singer Samarkand. The children`s songs that were performed during the ball included “Smile”, “Chunga changa”, “Childhood” and others. “I can sing” station featured prominent singers Oybek & Nigora and Nilufar Usmonova.
Two new play stations “I am a designer” and “Crafts workshop” have been added to the ball program. Here the kids have the opportunity to paint clay plates and figurines, create ceramic items on a potter`s wheel and apply their designer skills on T-shirts. Fashion designers Kanishka and Denis Tomilin, and musician Rashid Halikov were the children`s teachers at these play stations.
Among the other sections that the ball offered are “Hipsters”, “I am a conjurer”, “Young reporter” and “I am a photo model”. It was with a keen and sincere interest that the children watched and listened as their “instructors” showing them tricks.
The key event of the holiday was a ceremony to award the little “alumni” of the play stations as part of the concert, which was followed by a charitable auction. The proceeds from the auction go toward supporting orphanages as well as developing children`s art centers across the country. The charity auction is the most important part of the project. The auction lots are presented by famous performers, art professionals and Gulnara Karimova herself.
Toward the end of the charity ball, Gulnara Karimova, the chairperson of the Fund Forum`s Board of Trustees and the author of the project, expressed kind remarks and wishes to the participants. In what was a culmination of the event, everyone made a wish and launched colorful balloons into the sky.
The Charity Ball is organized by the Fund Forum and the Women`s Council in partnership with Bella Terra and Baby Terra magazines, TV Markaz channel, Sakura Project art studio, “Sunday” Recreation and Entertainment Agency, “ALS Family” holiday planner, “Reginight” art studio, as well as several private schools and kindergartens such as Oltin Qanot (Golden wing), Leader, and The Future Generation among others.
Thanks to the fundraising balls held in 2008, 2009 and 2010, sixty-five orphanages across Uzbekistan have been provided with school belongings, warm clothing, electric appliances, personal hygiene products and foodstuffs made available by the Women`s Council. Over 4,000 children have benefited from these activities. Also, funds donated by parents last year were channeled into the development of social and charitable projects. More specifically, beneficiaries included children with hearing and eyesight problems as well as children with polio.
Related links
BABY International Children’s Tournament