Patricia Kurganova Blind Belarusian singer, star of the vocal project “The Voice” Date of Birth: 08.09.1989 Country: Belarus

1. Biography of Patricia Kurganova
2. Early Life
3. Musical Journey
4. The Voice and Beyond

Biography of Patricia Kurganova

Born on September 8, 1989, Patricia Kurganova is a visually impaired Belarusian singer who has become a star in the vocal project "The Voice," challenging stereotypes about people who have lost their sight. She advocates for inclusion and opposes the concept of "blind districts," where blind individuals live and work isolated from the rest of society. According to the singer, sighted and visually impaired students should learn together to avoid problems with interaction from the start.

Early Life

Patricia Kurganova began singing at a very young age, thanks to her mother, who was a music teacher and psychologist. Her mother ensured that Patricia lived a normal life, fulfilled her family obligations, and did not become a victim of prohibitions and restrictions. Despite suffering from total retinal detachment, a condition currently incurable by medicine, Patricia managed to learn how to play the piano. She also learned to rollerblade and ride a bicycle with her brother. During her school years, Patricia experienced the death of her younger brother. Additionally, her mother was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, and doctors believed she only had one month to live. However, cardiovascular surgeon Yuri Ostrovsky performed a life-saving operation that extended her mother's life by five years. During this time, Patricia visited her mother in the hospital, where she underwent painful procedures, worked, learned to live independently, and stayed with her grandmother. Unfortunately, Patricia's mother did not receive a transplant for a "heart-lung" complex in time.

Musical Journey

At the age of ten, Kurganova was admitted to the third grade of a music school. The teachers agreed to educate visually impaired children, requiring a special approach. Today, the same school uses Braille font and employs graduates as teachers. After finishing school, Patricia attempted to enroll in preparatory courses to enter university. However, she was told it was pointless because there were no conditions for blind individuals at the university. At this challenging stage, Kurganova met Diana Gurtseva and shared her difficulties. Not wanting to stay on the sidelines, Diana wrote several letters to the university of culture, leading to the creation of a commission that allowed Patricia to take written exams in Braille. She successfully passed the exams and began her studies at the university. Patricia and Diana continue to maintain a warm relationship. Kurganova performed at the fourth "White Cane" festival, which brings together blind and visually impaired talents. Diana is one of the organizers of this international project.

The Voice and Beyond

Before joining the grand vocal project "The Voice" on the team of A.B. Gradsky, Patricia went through a preliminary selection process. She was chosen as one of the top 150 most promising performers out of 11,000 applicants. Patricia is not allowed to reveal the details of her "vocal battle" until the televised version of the competition is aired. She will perform live concerts, and the winners will be determined by audience voting. Unfortunately, "The Voice" is not broadcast in Belarus, but recordings of her performances appear on social media almost immediately after each episode. Today, Patricia cannot imagine her life without the stage. She enjoys active leisure activities and never stops radiating optimism and faith in her abilities. In 2011, Kurganova appeared on the show "Let's Get Married" with her friend, singer Mark Tishman, where she talked about her breakup with a jealous boyfriend. The young singer would be happy to meet her soulmate with whom she could find common ground.