ASTANA – Kazakh radio host Mukhamedali Bukharbayev was awarded the “Oscar for the Radio Hosts” at the international competition in Moscow. The event, known as “We Speak as Levitan,” was devoted to the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Information Bureau.
Photo: kaztrk.kz
“My wife learned about the competition surfing the Internet and told me about it. I decided to take part because I consider that the competition is like the Oscar. I was afraid because of my accent or wrong tone, but eventually I made a final decision to participate. I translated the speech into Kazakh, recorded versions in two languages (Russian and Kazakh) and sent the records with an application on the last day,” said Bukharbayev, reported Tengrinews.kz.
He noted the late Yuriy Levitan is a great model for radio hosts, because he is considered to be a genius and giant. Bukharbayev feels present radio and television announcers continue his work.
“In the Internet age we are all small Levitans and we try to continue his work with dignity. After the victory I will face new challenges, achievements and prospects,” said the Kazakh radio host.
The participants recorded one of Levitan’s historic speeches delivered by the Soviet Information Bureau in spring 1945. Bukharbayev, the only entrant to submit samples in two languages, received a special diploma for his work. He said the competition’s jury chairman noted when he heard the Kazakh version that he had no doubt the submission would receive a distinct honour.
The event attracted 109 radio hosts from more than 10 states including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine. The winners were determined by a jury composed of leading representatives of the mass media, artists and media experts. The panel included professionals such as television and Union Radio host Anna Shatilova, National Association of Broadcasters President Eduard Sagalyaev, Orpheus CEO and Artistic Director Irina Gerasimova and International Academy of Television and Radio academician Viktor Samarin.
The competition aims to support new radio journalists. The work of Rossiya TV host Evgeniy Streltsov from Moscow was recognised with first place honours. He was presented with a statuette designed as a stylised, two-dimensional image of the retro microphone Levitan used during World War II. Evgeniy Prokhorov from Arzamas and Alexey Petrov from Sochi were awarded second and third places, respectively. All the winners also received cash prizes.
