Glem Koyfman, Uralsk:
‘I cannot describe my thoughts and emotions about the Jewish Youth Festival, but I will try my best. The Festival in Karaganda was the most important event in my life, as I want to dedicate my life to creative arts. The beginning of the Festival, together with the opening ceremony and the first performances, which were held during the summer camp, were unforgettable. Some people, who do not know much about the Jewish music, could probably think of a few songs, such as "Hava Nagila", "Seven-Forty" and "Tum Balalaika". Anyone who visited the Festival "Freilehe Kinder" would gain a good understanding of the Jewish culture, even though it is impossible to learn a lot in a few days. Many participants from Kazakhstan and Russia displayed many songs, dances and music. Each performance was unlike another, even the same songs were rendered differently by different performers. There were many performances, their quality was very good, and the amount of effort of each of the participating cities was evident. I would like the festival to remain as it is now and not become a competition. There is a good amount of competitiveness to maintain high standards of performance. The festival was not only about music. I found new friends - everyone very interesting and from different backgrounds. My new friends include sportsmen, future chefs and doctors, who also dance and learn about their ancestors’ culture. I think that everyone present wanted to learn the history of Jewish people. I like to procrastinate, but I have a need for knowledge of this history, and wish that there were more festivals, seminars and lectures which would help our youth to learn. Of course, a lot of expenses are required for this, which include not only funds, but time and a lot of effort - and it is because of this that more needs to be done. "You only get what you put in" is a true saying. I am sure that the enormous amounts of work done by the participants and organisers will seem small compared to what will be achieved in the future. I thank all organisers for the effort they invested in us!’

Stella Suhorukova and her group, Karaganda.
‘I have been visiting the Hesed for about 7 years, since it was founded in Karaganda. I participated in all the festivals. I believe that the mastery of the performers increases each year. For example, Taraz and Shymkent have become much better. Almaty, on the other hand, is a bit weaker this year than in the past. Before, the visitors from Almaty were very friendly with the groups from the other cities, but now they do not often talk to others, have a cold attitude. My favourite thing about the festival is that it allows me to show myself, my art, and to see and communicate with new people. We started preparation for the festival about 2-3 months before and rehearsed 4-5 days per week. The most difficult thing for me was to learn the dances, especially the modern ones. For the Purim we prepared Purimshpil, and then spent another two months to improve it for the Festival. A professional director from our regional theatre of drama, Ivan Ivanovich Nemtsev, was working with us. It was hard to act out emotions on stage. Our first show was worse than the one at the Festival. We were really prepared for this show, and were always told that everyone cannot wait until the performance from Karaganda. Because of this we had butterflies in our stomaches, and we performed with a lot of emotion. We lived the whole Purimshpil on the stage. Strangely, we did not experience any fear. Firstly, we were very nervous, but then, after a few breaths, we performed as if we lived it, without distractions. Half of the costumes for the Purimspiel we borrowed from the theatre, the rest we had to make ourselves. During the rehearsals the children had contributed to the staging of the movements, added to the performance in many ways and showed a lot of independence and initiative. What would I change about the festival is to make it longer. For some reason, we start to make new friends only on 2nd or 3rd day. At this time, all of the people from different cities mix together and come to know each other better. And then, after we had just met, we had to go our own ways. This year we made friends from Pavlodar, Uralsk, Shymkent and Almaty, although we tried to talk to everyone.’ (When asked if the girls liked the performances from Russia, they started singing the song performed by a boy from Astrachan.)

‘It was hard to repeat same movements and lines for hundreds of times during the rehearsals. We were always told, ‘And again, and again’. Although now we think back and say thanks to our organisers for making us work, and due to which we performed well. Unfortunately, the weather was not so good, and we could not have any joint games. It would be more interesting to get all cities and do an activity together, such as games to meet people. It is sometimes hard to come up to someone and ask, ‘What is your name?’. Games would facilitate this communication. We had an idea to have this game: to wake everyone up at 4 a.m. and to give everyone tasks to find something, like a game of "Fort Bayard." Of course, it would also be good to move the venue of the festival to a different city.’

Anna Fisenko, Kostanay:
‘While preparing for the Festival, we meticulously searched for the repertoire to make a respectable performance. During Freilehe Kinder we experienced a welcoming atmosphere and felt at home. We would like the festival to last longer, as there was not enough times to meet other people. I am happy at this opportunity to meet Jewish youth from Kazakhstan each year, and hope that the festival would be back next year. I would love to see everyone again!’

Ksenia Slozhenikina, Kostanay:
‘This is the second time for me at the Festival. I am very excited. Everything, including the rehearsals, is well organised. This year there were some great performers, especially Misha from Astrakhan. For his age, he is an excellent singer, and does his best during a performance. At the festival, I met some of my old friends - a meeting we were waiting for a whole year! For me, unfortunately, this is going to be the last time at the festival, as I intend to study in Russia. I wish that the festival prospers, and to the participants - lots of success and to have a fun!’

Natalia Luks, Kostanay:
This is my first Jewish festival in my life, and I hope not the last. I have performed at different venues before, and I liked Freilehe Kinder very much. Firstly, everything was timetabled and organised. Secondly, the accommodation was very comfortable, the food was good, the air fresh and everyone was very respectful. The festival itself was even better. I am a student at a dancing college, and it was very interesting for me to see the selection rounds in the dancing category, their specificity and the groups’ theatrical and dance staging. The youth gave it all: the dances were in character, the movements were polished, and everyone was young and beautiful! My personal favourite was Aktyubinsk’ Jewish dances, and I could not remain untouched by the professionalism of Kokchetav! I hope to be surprised by more performances!

The only downside is the lack of time for communication. We have to work non-stop. Most of interaction was during the disco, under the accompaniment of music which was too loud.

As a whole, I think that the festival was excellent, and I cannot wait until the next one!’