Bala Turkvision Song Contest 2015 was the first edition of the Bala Turkvision Song Contest. It was initially scheduled to take place in Mary, Turkmenistan, however, it was moved Istanbul, Turkey. The contest is the junior equivalent of the Turkvision Song Contest; similar to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest being the younger equivalent of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Thirteen countries and regions competed. Eligible to participate are Turkic regions, which have either a large Turkic population or a widely spoken Turkic language. The final took place on the 15 December 2015. Contestants must be aged between 8 and 15 and must perform in a Turkic language.
It was announced on 7 June 2015, that the inaugural Bala Turkvision Song Contest will be held in Mary, Turkmenistan. However, it was later confirmed that the competition had been moved to Istanbul, Turkey. The final took place on 15 December 2015.
Participating countries and regions
The following Turkic regions and ethnic groups competed in the inaugural contest that took place in December 2015.
None of the participating broadcasters did broadcast the contest live. However some broadcasters have announced their plans for the broadcasting:
Bashkortostan — On 30 November it was announced that Bashkortostan would not debut at the contest due to the current state of international relations between the Russian Federation and Turkey. Despite this Bashkortostan did select Galisar Baiguskarova to represent them in 2015.
Crimea — On 7 December it was announced that Crimea would not debut at the contest due to the current state of international relations between the Russian Federation and Turkey. Despite this Crimea did select Aliie Bekirova with the song "Amanim yarim" (On my half) to represent them in 2015.
Kabardino-Balkaria & Karachay-Cherkessia — On 7 December it was announced that Kabardino-Balkaria & Karachay-Cherkessia would not debut at the contest due to the current state of international relations between the Russian Federation and Turkey.
Kumyk — On 7 December it was announced that Kumyk would not debut at the contest due to the current state of international relations between the Russian Federation and Turkey. Despite this Kumyk did select Karim Salavatov to represent them in 2015.
Khakassia — On 30 November it was announced that Khakassia would not debut at the contest due to the current state of international relations between the Russian Federation and Turkey. Despite this Khakassia did select Katya Kyzlasova to represent them in 2015.
Moscow — On 7 December it was announced that Moscow would not debut at the contest due to the current state of international relations between the Russian Federation and Turkey. Despite this Moscow did select Angeline Gafarovoy to represent them in 2015.
Stavropol Krai — On 3 December it was announced that Stavropol Krai would not debut at the contest due to the current state of international relations between the Russian Federation and Turkey. Despite this Stavropol Krai did select Madina Kartakeyva with the song "Altin Ordam" (My golden horde) to represent them in 2015.
Tatarstan — On 7 December it was announced that Tatarstan would not debut at the contest due to the current state of international relations between the Russian Federation and Turkey. Despite this Tatarstan did select Saida Mukhametzyanova to represent them in 2015.
Tuva — On 30 November it was announced that Tuva would not debut at the contest due to the current state of international relations between the Russian Federation and Turkey. Despite this Tuva did select Aykis to represent them in 2015.
Uzbekistan — On 15 December it was announced that Uzbekistan would not debut at the contest for unknown reasons. Despite this Uzbekistan did select Yasmina Garibova to represent them in 2015.
