This contest's edition has two sections: canto and musical criticism. For the first part, the jury includes, among others, Maria Slătinaru-Nistor, Ionel Voineag, Cristina Soreanu and Liliana Dumitrache, whereas the second is to be evaluated by Valentina Sandu-Dediu and Grigore Constantinescu. The latter agreed to talk with us about this event.

What do you have in mind for this edition of the Mihail Jora Competition?

This time we have some new features. First of all, this is the first edition in collaboration with the Bucharest National University of Music. Then we have included new contests, namely the composition contest and the musical criticism. As far as music performing is concerned, this year we present only the canto section, in which ten contestants have enrolled and to which the jury includes important music and university Romanian personalities.

To whom is this competition addressed and how exactly do you intend to promote the winners?

The competition is for young musicians who have not yet turned thirty and all types of singers, divided into men and women voice. The winners are to be awarded by the National University of Music and the Romanian Musical Critics Union. A few special prizes are an homage to great artists of the past, such as Valentina Creţoiu and Şerban Tasian Award by soprano Ioana Bentoiu, Valentin Teodorian Award by the artist's wife, Liliana Pavelescu and Lisette Georgescu Award for piano accompaniment given by the artist's son, Nicolae Georgescu. The Artists' Union of Armenia have also prepared an award as homage to the great singer David Ohanesian.

You are the initiator of Mihail Jora Competition. What has its purpose been between since 1991?

The purpose is to promote talents and present them to the younger generations. This competition is a criterion of evaluating their chances to single themselves out on stage, an aspect which has already been successful - for instance, Marius Brenciu is at the moment an international distinguished artist.