Maldives Promotion House – Following the unprecedented success of last year’s inaugural event, the Four Seasons Zuvaanunge Saqaafee Vaadha (Four Seasons Youth Culture Competition) is returning for a second year – and the format is even bigger and bolder than before.

Organised by Four Seasons Resorts Maldives and Malé-based cultural arts institution Varutha, this year’s Competition extends beyond Baa Atoll to the youth of the four atolls within the North Province – Baa, Raa, Noonu and Lahviyani; a total of 47 islands in total.

The Competition is open to groups of young performers aged 15-25 years, and will see them competing for a prize of MVR 100,000 to fund a community project and MVR 10,000 cash for themselves.

The deadline for applications is 30^th April 2012, with the first round of competition taking place in the form of a closed audition from 3^rd to 9^th June at Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru, Baa Atoll.

The best two teams from each atoll (eight teams in total) will then be invited to attend an intensive workshop – held by Varutha at Landaa Giraavaru from 1^st to 14^th July – to hone their skills under the expert guidance of some of the country’s leading Bodu Beru performers. The final round of competition will take place at Baa Kamadhoo on Friday 31^st August and Saturday 1^st September.

“We’re delighted to be widening the scope of the Competition so extensively in only its second year. The whole nation got behind last year’s event thanks to its live television coverage, and we’re looking forward to highlighting the hidden talent of even more Maldivian youth this year. It’s a real feel-good contest,” announcing this year’s competition, Landaa Giraavaru’s General Manager and Four Seasons Regional Vice President, Armando Kraenzlin, said.

The Competition was launched in 2011 to commemorate Baa Atoll’s designation as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and to promote cultural values and sustainability among local youth. Its expansion this year has also been welcomed by Varutha’s co-founder, Sham’aa Abdullah Hameed (Anna).

“This competition is exactly the kind of thing the Maldives needs to reinstate national pride, bridge rifts between generations and philosophies and foster national identity amongst Maldivians,” Anna said.

Based on their performances in the Challenge, teams will be awarded points by a panel of judges. The strict judging criteria – including group size (no less than 16 and no more than 26) and overall presentation, cohesion, authenticity and originality – will be formally communicated to teams in advance, followed by a grace period to allow teams to clarify any issues or concerns.

To kick start proceedings, a team from Four Seasons will be visiting all the islands in the North Province from 17^th to 19^th April 2012 to increase awareness and answer questions from interested participants. Please contact 6600888 for further details.