The casting for the “Star of Siberia-Dzhigit” contest took place in Tyumen. The jury has selected 14 finalists, who have already begun active preparation for the final stage. The contest final will be held on April 11th at the Palace of Railway Workers’ Culture.

This year, the contest’s organizing committee received about 50 applications from 6 cities in the Siberian Federal District. In addition to representatives from Tyumen and towns in the Tyumen region, the casting included participants from Tobolsk, Yalutorovsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, and Surgut. Some were not applying to the contest for the first time.

The qualifying round, where participants presented their self-introductions and talent acts, took place at School No. 52. The young men and women were evaluated by a jury well-known not only in the Tyumen region but also beyond. These are experienced mentors and professionals in their field. Some have been with the contest for many years: Chadvar Kasimov, director of the “Pyshny” folklore and vocal ensemble and Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan; Khalida Kiramova, Candidate of Philological Sciences, teacher of Tatar language and literature at Secondary School No. 52, and winner of the All-Russian “Best Teacher of Tatar Language and Literature” contest; Gulnara Sagitova, director of the “Ethnos” Center for Creative Development and Humanitarian Education; Suleiman Hazrat Sadrutdinov, imam-khatib of the mosque in the Matmasy settlement; Nelya Fayzullina, curator of museum collections at the Embayevo Rural Museum; and Munirya Khusnutdinova, chairman of the board of trustees of the charitable foundation “We Have No Orphaned Children.”

Welcoming the audience, Rinat Nasyrov, representative of the World Congress of the Tatars in the Tyumen Region, praised the participants for their courage:

“Many different people live in the world. But not all of them dare to take the first step. You are among the few from modern Tatar youth who have dared and have already risen a step higher. By stepping onto this stage, you have already won. I wish you to carry this aspiration throughout your life and never forget the value and scale of your native Tatar culture.”

The jury noted the high level of native language proficiency among the contestants. Almost all participants speak Tatar fluently. The participants showed good knowledge of religion and their native culture, boldly answering tricky questions. Some contestants took part in the interview with the jury online.

During the talent round, the young men and women performed theatrical sketches, demonstrated their skills in vocal, dance, and sports numbers, and recited poems, including works by local authors.

Veronika Bikmulina, a 2026 finalist: “I do aerial gymnastics, and I think I’ve found a way to popularize this art form among Tatar youth. I create routines set to Tatar music and add national elements to my stage costume. Today, I prepared exactly that kind of routine.”

The following have advanced to the final of the “Star of Siberia-Dzhigit” 2026 contest: Taymas Abdrazakov, Amin Babshanov, Salavat Vagapov, Rustam Ziyatdinov, Robert Sabirov, Eldar Sabitov, Salavat Saitov, Albina Akhatova, Veronika Bikmulina, Liliya Dzhabbarova, Elina Kangazina, Zulfiya Kurmanbakiyeva, Yazgul Nugumanova, and Emiliya Tilimbayeva.

Ahead of the participants is a month of preparation, including a 10-day training camp outside the city. The schedule includes Tatar language and literature, history of the Tatars, fundamentals of Islam, choreography, catwalk training, acting skills, and sessions with a psychologist. In their free time, contestants will prepare their talent acts for the final show.

Background: The Congress of Tatars of the Tyumen Region has been organizing the contest since 2008. Over this time, more than 900 people, including contestants and finalists, have taken part. “Seber yoldyzy – Star of Siberia” and “Tatar yegete – Dzhigit” is the largest project for Tatar youth beyond the Urals.