DUSHANBE, August 21, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- A19-year-old singer Tahmina Niyozova will represent Tajikistan in the musical contest “Five Stars: Intervision” that will be held in Sochi, Russia from August 28-31.  

It will be the fourth “Five Stars: Intervision” organized by Russia’s TV Channel One.  This year, the contest''s format has been changed slightly – starting from 2008 this song contest is open not only for Russian contestants but also for participants from other CIS states.  This year, representatives of twelve countries, including Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan will participate in the contest.

Each country sends one delegate and the winner of the competition will be announced via short SMS voting.  Next year, the contest will be held in the country whose contestant wins this year''s competition.

The jury will consist of the representatives of participating countries and famous figures in the sphere of art.  Among them are Josef Kobzon (Russia) – head of the jury, Robert Amirhanyan (Armenia), Qudratullo Hikmatov (Tajikistan), Yerulan Kanapyanov (Kazakhstan), Yan Tabachnik (Ukraine), Mansour Tashmatov (Uzbekistan), Renars Kaupers (Latvia), Alexander Tihanovich (Belarus), Nelly Chobanu (Moldova), Polad Bul-Bul Oglu (Azerbaijan), Aktam Isanbaev (Kyrgyzstan), and Rovshen Nepesov (Turkmenistan).

Based on the results of the contest, the jury will award a special prize to the winner.

Speaking in n interview with Asia-Plus, Tahmina said that she is currently Moscow, making preparations for the contest and her mother, Gulchehra Niyozova is helping her prepare for the contest.  

Tahmina will sing three songs in the competition: “Zangi Telefon” (Telephone Ring) in Tajik; Larisa Dolina’s song “Tsvety pod snegom” (Flowers under the Snow) in Russian and international hit - Mariah Carey’s “Hero.”  

            According to Tahmina, counties participating in the contest may broadcast the show free of charge.  

            In the meantime, the source at Tajik national TV channel Shabakai Avval (Channel One) said that since “the contest is held in parallel with a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Dushanbe they will not be able to provide the live broadcast of the contest.”  Representatives of another Tajik national TV channel -- Safina -- failed to give specific answer on this issue.  

            Tahmina Niyozova, granddaughter of known Tajik performer of Shamaqom, Boymuhammad Niyozov, is laureate of the Music Award Suridi Sol 2007 in the “Chehrai Nav” (New Face) nomination.