Oriented on making people closer

On June 2, the Watan Cinema and Concert Hall in Ashgabat will host the musical show "Our Children on the Internet," dedicated to International Children's Day. The organizers have embarked on a bold creative experiment: to test whether real emotions and sincere art can prevail over news feed algorithms, endless reels, and chats. Viewers will witness how the colossal energy of gadgets is redirected into microphones and musical instruments.

This holiday isn't just for those born with a smartphone in hand. We're waiting for you, "big" boys and girls—dear parents who still remember the idyllic world without Wi-Fi. This is a rare chance for you to disconnect from work messaging apps for a couple of hours, reminisce about carefree childhoods, your pranks, and simply enjoy the moment, which, unlike online videos, can't be paused or rewinded.

The evening's program promises to be more engaging than any curated playlist. While Mustafa Yagshiyev and his touching baby mammoth search for his mother, and "Ýaş Zehin" contest winner Shirin Dzhumaeva and Batyr Baimuradov sing about the internet in the voices of the Fixies, we'll all remember: real emotions don't require recharging.

The organizers added a touch of intrigue by rewriting the lyrics to the iconic "Chunga-Changa" to fit the current social media theme. And Khatyja Amanova, with her bold "Song of the Robbers," will delicately remind young viewers that they need to be just as careful online as they would in a fairytale forest. Young vocalist Aylara Tsarkova will perform a poignant and touching number, "Tell the Children."

The organizers are especially proud of the performance by another "Yaş Zehin" winner, pianist Tylla Shirova. She will take the stage accompanied by the Melodiya Orchestra, conducted by international competition laureate Annaoraz Dovletov. Believe me, when a child performs alongside a professional orchestra, it creates a scale and a magical sound that no smartphone screen, even the most sophisticated, can convey. The young performers will be joined by adult stars—popular soloists Bakhar Durdyyeva and Dovran Shammyev, whose live voices sound purer than any digital recording.

The evening promises to be packed with action, featuring the "Singing Nightingales" children's choir and rhythmic polyphony on percussion by Salih Darchiya and the Sabirov family. And Khatydzha Begbaeva will perform an ironic and topical number about "Zombie Smartphones," in which many of us will surely recognize ourselves with a smile (or sadness).

Come support the young artists and prove to them that heartfelt applause from the audience is much more rewarding than impersonal hearts and likes under photos.

Photo: provided by the organizers