On July 5, 2025, the second qualifying round of the International Festival-Competition of Russian Romance Performers “Romansiada Benelux” was held at the Russian House in Brussels. The competition day concluded with a festive Gala Concert featuring the winners, jury members, and special guests. More than 30 performers from Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Russia took part in the event.

The high professional level of the competition was ensured by an international jury composed of prominent cultural figures living in Europe: Victoria Pankratova (Netherlands), Olga Adamovich (United Kingdom), Valery Likhachyov (Denmark), Julietta Kocharova (Belgium), Igor Storozhenko (Germany).

That evening, the stage of the Russian House became a true center of romance — from classical pieces to modern interpretations. Each performance was filled with emotion and a deep love for the genre. Both professional artists and talented amateurs graced the stage. A particularly touching moment came from a four-year-old participant who performed Dargomyzhsky’s romance “The Titular Councillor” — her heartfelt rendition became a symbol of the evening’s sincerity and tenderness.

The Grand Prix was awarded to Anastasia Pavlina (Netherlands), who will represent the Benelux region at the final concert of “Romansiada” in Moscow.

A Special Jury Prize was awarded to Natalia Shevchenko (Netherlands, balalaika) for her original and inspired interpretation of a romance.

In addition to judging the competition, jury members also took the stage themselves, presenting the audience with vibrant performances filled with mastery and inspiration.

The festival was organized by Svetlana Kononova and Victoria Pankratova (Netherlands) with the support of Galina Preobrazhenskaya, Honored Artist of Russia, musicologist, and renowned expert in the genre. Thanks to their dedication and enthusiasm, the festival became a true celebration of Russian musical poetry — a space where romance was reborn with new life and sound.

“Romansiada Benelux” has laid the foundation for a new cultural tradition, uniting performers and audiences from different countries in their shared love for this great genre.

And this is just the beginning.

As it was said in the evening’s finale:

“The more ancient the innocence of a romance — the more lively its nightingales…”