Meet our Winners!
Over the winter, VF KiDS invited children to submit drawings inspired by the legendary Russian fairytale that brought Igor Stravinsky’s ballet The Firebird to life. Young artists from Switzerland and around the world let their imaginations soar, creating magical worlds filled with dazzling firebirds, daring princes, and mythical creatures. Thirteen outstanding drawings were selected by illustrator Marc Philippin (Jury Chairman) and members of the Verbier Festival team. These works, along with many others that were submitted, will be incorporated into a live-animated film by Mr Philippin, to be screened during a special performance of The Firebird with the Verbier Festival Orchestra and conductor Klaus Mäkelä on 20 July 2025. All submissions will be displayed at the Festival, showcasing the incredible creativity of our young participants. Bravo to all our budding artists!
Jury: Marc Philippin, Stephen McHolm, Joëlle Mansourian, Hervé Boissière, Silvia Laurent, Martin T:son Engstroem
The jury selected three winners, one per age category.
Each young artist wins three Category B tickets for the Verbier Festival concert on 20 July 2025 at Salle des Combins, featuring The Firebird performed by the Verbier Festival Orchestra and conductor Klaus Mäkelä. The tickets (for one child and two guests) are valued at CHF 450.-.
Category Ages 5 to 7
Lisa Sotnikova
Age 7
Rieden AG, Switzerland
Comment from Marc Philippin:
“Skilfully playing with different textures and visual effects, this firebird with its sparkling colours exudes a softness that contrasts with the background of a starry night full of surprises. The result is a work full of tenderness and poetry.”
Category Ages 8 to 10
Yerry Cho
Age 8
Soegu, Daejoeon, South Korea
Comment from Marc Philippin:
“This original composition skilfully plays with all the warm tones of this mythical bird’s fiery plumage. With its wings wide open, it fills almost the entire page, as if to throw in our faces its desperate desire for freedom and light. A flamboyant illustration of the scene in which the firebird is captured by Prince Ivan.”
Category Ages 11 to 12
Ema Bucher
Age 12
Berg (Dägerlen) ZH, Switzerland
Comment from Marc Philippin:
“Simple, delicate and effective, this beautiful drawing of a firebird with musical score on its wings illustrates the complex world of vibration. Like a visual haiku, the rhythm of the flapping wings of this enchanting bird makes the air vibrate like a musical instrument playing its score.”
Ten other drawings across all age categories received an honorable mention
Each young artist wins two Category C tickets for the Verbier Festival concert on 20 July 2025 at Salle des Combins, featuring The Firebird performed by the Verbier Festival Orchestra and conductor Klaus Mäkelä. The tickets (for one child and one guest) are valued at CHF 180.-.
The drawings, presented in no particular order, are shown below:
Isabelle Bendtsen Herold, Age 7, Verbier VS, Switzerland
Sophie Golobokin, Age 10, Unterägeri ZG, Switzerland
Lehna Bocquel, 10 ans, Vollèges VS, Switzerland
Sally Hardegger, Age 10, Mühldau AG, Switzerland
Elise Lovey, Age 6, Verbier VS, Switzerland
Iana Krugliak, Age 10, Baar ZG, Switzerland
Mischa Kosenkov, Age 5, Rieden AG, Switzerland
Vera Salin, Age 5, Rieden AG, Switzerland
Miron Salnikov, Age 8, Lagord, Charente-Maritime, France
Daria Salnikova, Age 11, Lagord, Charente-Maritime, France
Contest Rules
Review the selection criteria and contest details.