On 6 July, Tashkent`s Japanese Garden will welcome the public to attend “In the Name of Life” Charity Ball, which will include a charity auction and a concert. The other event is the 5th Kichkintoy (Baby) Rhythmic Gymnastics Open Tournament, scheduled for July 7 at “Uzbekistan” Sports Complex, which will feature 200 young gymnast girls.

Visitors to “In the Name of Life” Charity Ball – children and their parents – will have the opportunity to enjoy a rich program that offers competitions, contests, performances by Uzbek pop stars and a charity auction that will features lots from famous Uzbek people. All proceeds from the auction will go toward purchasing clothes, food and school supplies for children living in orphanages across the country.

Thanks to previous charity balls held in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, the organizers – the Women`s Council and Fund Forum – donated schools supplies, clothing, winter shoes, appliances, hygiene products and food to around 85 orphanages across Uzbekistan. In all, roughly 7,000 children benefitted from the project. Moreover, donations by parents have been channeled into developing social and charitable projects, namely supporting the Tashkent Specialized Orphanage for Children with Polio and a charity foundation for people with hearing and eyesight disorders as well as events associated with the International Peace Day.

Now in its fifth year, Kichkintoy Rhythmic Gymnastics Open Tournament will present little talents – young aspiring gymnasts from all over Uzbekistan. The July 7 event will take place in the form of a gala concert with colorful performances selected by the jury during the competition part of the tournament (July 6 at Forum Junior Sport Complex). The concert will conclude with a parade of participants and an awards ceremony for the winners. Prizes for first, second and thirds places will be given to the best gymnast girls in respective age categories (born in 2004, 2005 and 2006) as well as to teams that will demonstrate the best performances.

This year over 200 gymnasts from various parts of Uzbekistan, including Kazakhstan, will strut their stuff in the tournament. Kichkintoy Tournament is traditionally held in a competitive format, where the participants are free to choose the form of performance. The contest has no restrictions on performances or choice of tools, music and costumes.