Time passes by, one century follows the other, but the song, the melody are in continual self-renewal, giving charm to the feelings, experience, emotions…
   The world embodied in the song of one little girl has turned out to be so fascinating and eloquent that people everywhere - in Georgia, in Europe and across the ocean in America - have accepted and fallen in love with it.
   Marika Tkhelidze is the holder of the Grand Prix of  the 2001 World Art Championship. She is just thirteen but has already decided to pursue a career as a singer, to follow the path of singing. It is both easy and nice to say so, but it takes a hard and long road to reach the desired goal.
   Conversation with Marika flows easily. She responds to all questions calmly and diligently. One feels very much at ease in the company of such a cordial hostess.
   Her room probably resembles that of many other girls of her age, with lots and lots of dolls, a musical center, and numerous records… In Marika's room, however, you will also find the grand piano standing proudly, almost like a living being - the helper and supporter of all of Marika's success. Its black polished surface displays the awards lined up on top of it. The Grand Prix and its two predecessors lead this “Legion of Honour.”
   When you first meet with Marika you may be struck by the incongruity of her physical presence and her voice.  It may seem unbelievable that this tender, subtle and slim body can hold such a majestically strong voice and that this fairy-like girl manages to subjugate such a voice to her own will and master it with such a skillful performance technique.
   From her first memories, she has been singing. “I started working seriously at the age of nine,” she says, and you can feel a professional's seriousness in her answer.
   She is hardworking, goal-oriented and uncompromising. You would not say so at first glance, however. To us she appeared a dreamer, a romantic, and often introspective. This impression was probably reinforced by the fact that during our conversation she was not feeling well and was being treated for a cold. Perhaps this was the reason that her face was pale and her eyes seemed sad. Still, she spoke with us energetically and listened attentively.

   She finds time to study her school subjects as well, between her singing and music lessons.
   And yet singing is paramount for her. Both Marika and her parents consider a classical musical education essential. Her aunt, Nana (her father's sister) manages everything for Marika. The trendy terms used in the show business - manager and impresario, or both together, suit Marika's aunt perfectly. She knows everything and she manages and handles all business relationships for the girl. It was Aunt Nana who accompanied Marika to the United States. They both told us that they were stunned by the grandeur of the event, the vast number of participants and their accompanying entourages.
   Over the course of the conversation we learned that participation in this championship was not age-restricted and therefore it was quite difficult to determine how many participants were taking part in it. Their number turned out to be just very many. This tremendous army of competitors was filtered in two stages, and the aunt's fear of having brought the child to such a contest where the girl's failure would become imprinted forever in her memory soon disappeared. The decision of the judges confirmed Marika's belief and stubborn determination that she would become the winner.
   Marika was often asked to repeat Georgian folk variations that she had performed on the stage. She fulfilled these requests with pleasure and sang willingly. The listeners attempted to imitate her but in vain.
    An adult person, to say nothing of a child, would be frightened merely at the thought of having to appear, sing, and demonstrate what one is capable of doing in front of such strict and competent judges and thousands of listeners.
   Marika's inner determination and immense artistic abilities, which enable her to easily communicate with all kinds of listeners, are indeed enviable. Whether there are few or many of them does not really matter for her. Neither does the venue.
   When talking about “conquering” her audience, Marika says it all happens by itself. She does not know how it occurs. It cannot be explained. She works very hard, improving and refining her repertoire, sparing no time or effort, knowing that it is necessary.
   Speaking of necessities, having meals is something she is not really fond of. She may suddenly crave after something she is supposed to avoid - such as walnut-stuffed courses and ice cream. Sometimes she simply cannot abstain from them. However, she does take great care of the voice that is her treasure.
   Together with her mother and aunt she makes plans for the future. Her success makes her teacher Rusudan Bakhtadze immensely happy. She selects new songs for her young student very carefully and with taste.
   Her parents also do whatever they can and despite great odds, contrive somehow to ensure that material obstacles do not hamper Marika's progress.
   From the time the young singer first learnt about Barbara Streisand and heard her songs, she became enraptured with Streisand and has been singing her songs herself.
   Who knows how Marika's creative path will evolve! The beginning has indeed been impressive and promising. Let us hope that her talent and selfless work will be duly rewarded and success shall always stay with her - as it has for her adored Barbara.
   Marika has already received many invitations. Besides finding the necessary money, right decisions and correct choices are paramount.
   When we asked her if she wanted to have more free time and to do whatever she wished, her reply once again confirmed what Marika told us at the beginning of our conversation. She said singing was everything for her, it was her life.
   Perhaps this is how she wants others to know her because she herself wants to get to know the world through songs.
   Of course foreign countries fascinate the little singer, however “I wouldn't stand living abroad for a long time. I'd miss being here,” she told us with her childish frankness.
   We parted with Marika with the hope that she would always sing on behalf of Georgia. And we, together with you, would delight in her future victories.