The first international festival Khoomei in the Center of Asia will be held in Kyzyl from August 10 to August 14.

      More than 200 bands and masters of overtone singing from Russia, Spain, Italy, France, the USA, Finland, the Netherlands, Turkey, China and Japan are expected to take part in the competition.

      The best performers will be awarded in three nominations, such as Traditional Solo, Traditional Ensemble and Khoomei in Modern Interpretation.

      Throat singing (aka Khoomei) is the ancient Mongolian art of overtone singing with specific articulation in the throat. Experts are capable of singing two notes at a time, thus creating unique two-part melodies. Now there are more than one and a half thousand overtone singers registered in Tuva.