The 17th Delphic Youth Games of the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States began at the Kyrgyz National Philharmonic in Bishkek, Kabar News Agency reports.

Young people aged 10 to 25 from Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan are participating in the competition.

The Minister of Culture, Information, Sport and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan Altynbek Maksutov noted that the Delphic Games serve as a platform for strengthening friendship and good partnerships among the youth of the CIS countries.

Deputy Chair of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Edil Baisalov read the welcoming letter from President Sadyr Zhaparov to the event participants. The greeting expresses special joy and recognition in connection with holding the 17th Delphic Youth Games in Bishkek.

According to the program, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation Nikolay Udovichenko also read the welcoming letter from President Vladimir Putin, which noted that competition within the CIS deserves wide recognition.

Vladimir Putin’s letter states that this large-scale project will help young people find their way in art, develop their creative abilities, demonstrate their skills internationally, and receive expert recognition.

Following the official part of the games' opening, the event continued with a splendid concert program.

Bekhruz Khudoyberdiyev, UzA