Ani Lorak Ані Лорак
Ani Lorak in Serbia, 2008, semi-final.
Background information
Birth name	Karolina Miroslavivna Kuiek (Кароліна Мирославівна Куєк)
Also known as	Ani Lorak (Ані Лорак)
Born	(1978-09-27) 27 September 1978 (age 33)
Origin	Kitsman, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
Genres	Pop, Soul, Pop rock, Synthpop, Eurodance
Occupations	singer
Instruments	voice, piano
Years active	1996–present
Labels	Moon Records, Lavina Music
Website	www.anilorak.com

Karolina Miroslavivna Kuiek, (Ukrainian: Кароліна Мирославівна Куєк, alternate transliterations of the last name: Kuyek, Kuek), popularly known as Ani Lorak (Ukrainian: Ані Лорак), born 27 September 1978, Kitsman, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union, is a famous Ukrainian pop singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, and former UN Goodwill Ambassador. Having received Ukraine's most prestigious and honorary title, the People's Artist of Ukraine, Lorak has been cited as one of the most powerful and influential women in her country,^[1] as well as ranked one of the most beautiful women from Eastern Europe.^[2]

Lorak represented Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "Shady Lady" and came in 2nd place behind Dima Bilan from Russia.^[3][4] She came second in the Press Award Eurovision Song Contest^[5] and won the Artistic Award for her performance.^[6]

Early life[link]

Karolina Kuiek developed the desire to become a singer as early as the age of four. She often performed at various school vocal competitions. In 1992, she took part in the popular contest 'Pervotsvit' and was the winner. It was here where she met her ex-producer Yuriy Falyosa. As a result, at the age of 14 she signed her first professional contract. Kuiek became known as Ani Lorak in March 1995 when she took part in a contest at the television program "Morning Star" in Moscow, Russia. There was a Russian singer with the same name already enrolled in that competition so Kuiek had to invent a stage name. Ani Lorak is the name Karolina read backwards. Ani Lorak moved to Kiev in 1995. By that time her name was well known in Ukrainian show business. She became even more popular after winning the "Big Apple Music 1996 Competition" in New York, U.S.. She was named "Discovery of the Year" at the popular Ukrainian festival "Tavria Games" in 1996. The same year she released her first album "I Want to Fly".

1997–2011[link]

Lorak continued recording new songs in 1997. Her two videos "The Model" and "My God" were filmed and the latter became a soundtrack to the movie "The Right to Choose". In the spring of 1998 her new video "I will be back" was shot and in December Lorak's second album "I will be back" was released. Mastering of this album took place in New York. Simultaneously her two music videos "Oh my love" and "A Stranger's City" were filmed to accompany her new album. At the outset of 1999 she started extensive touring, performing in the US, France, Germany, Hungary, and her concerts took place in every major city of Ukraine. In 1999 she earned the title of the Honored Artist of Ukraine.^[7]

In the spring of 2000 Ani Lorak recorded the soundtrack for an advert for the Chocolate "Korona" at the London studio "Astoria". Here, the singer met British composers Burrie Guard and Josh Phillips. Also, in London Lorak recorded new songs. In 2004-2005 Ani Lorak was a UN Good Will Ambassador in Ukraine for HIV/AIDS.

In October 2009, Lorak was ranked 41st in a top 100 of "most influential women in Ukraine" compiled by experts for the Ukrainian magazine Focus.^[8]

Business ventures[link]

In 2005, Ani Lorak and her fiance Murat opened the Angel Lounge, a restaurant that specializes in Mediterranean cuisine in the center of Kiev.^[9] In 2009, they opened a Ukrainian travel agency called "Holiday Travel", which is a sub-division of "Turtess Travel", a company Murat works for.^[10] In 2010, Lorak became an Oriflame advert. She participated in several catalofues and developed a new fragrance called Chiffon by Ani Lorak.^[11]

In 2011, Lorak was announced the fifth richest singer in Ukraine, with her team's revenues amounting to $2.35 million that year. Her typical fee is $25,000-$40,000 per concert.^[12]

Personal life[link]

On 21 August 2009, Lorak married her longtime Turkish fiance and manager Murat Nalçacıoğlu, whom she met in 2003 when vacationing in Turkey.^[13] Her husband, Murat, is a Turkish hotel manager and travel agent. She confirmed her pregnancy at the end of November 2010.^[14] Their daughter, Sophia Nalçacıoğlu, was born on June 9, 2011.^[15] She and her family live in a house on the outskirts of Kiev, Ukraine but frequently travel to Turkey.

Eurovision[link]

2005[link]

In 2005, Ani Lorak made her first attempt to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest and was virtually certain to sing the home country's entry in Kiev, but ultimately failed to be selected. Her narrow defeat in the 2005 national pre-selection competition was particularly controversial, given that the winners, GreenJolly, did not have to qualify for the final by winning one of the fifteen preliminary heats (unlike her). Ani finished in second place in the Ukrainian national final with the song A Little Shot Of Love.

2008[link]

Having come close to singing the home country's entry in 2005, when Ukraine staged the Eurovision Song Contest, Ukrainian television NTU announced in late December that Ani Lorak, one of the country's most successful singers would represent the country at Eurovision in Belgrade and that the public and a jury would choose the song. On 23 February, Ani performed five potential entries, in a special show and the winner, chosen by both the public and by the jury was "Shady Lady",^[16] written by Greek composer and producer Dimitris Kontopoulos, also known in the Eurovision bubble.

She also recorded a Russian version of her Eurovision song "Shady Lady" with the title "S neba v nebo". Ani had visited other countries to present her song, like Malta, Russia, Bulgaria, Spain and Germany. At the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade, she sang the song "Shady Lady" in the second semi final on the 22nd of May 2008 winning a place in the final. She took the second place in the final after Dima Bilan. She was awarded a prize for being the Best Artist at the contest from the media. Italian designer Roberto Cavalli designed a dress for Ani Lorak performance at the festival. The ornate dress was made with Swarovski Diamonds, and her choreography produced by Fokas Evangelinos who designed the stage show for her entry. He also arranged the stage shows of Greece 2005, Russia 2006 and Belarus 2007.

Charity[link]

Ani spends a lot of time on charitable activities. In 2004-2005 Ani Lorak has been a UN Goodwill Ambassador on HIV/AIDS in Ukraine. UNICEF and UN in Ukraine have awarded a commendation to Ani Lorak for assistance and help to HIV positive citizens of Ukraine. In 2005, Ani Lorak was conferred with the St. Stanislav Order of the 4th degree and the Officer's Cross "for strengthening the international authority of Ukraine, for the high professionalism, great creative achievements, charity and adherence to the ideals of chivalry".^[17]

Albums[link]

Singles[link]

See also[link]

• Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
• Ani Lorak Obnemi menya

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikinews has related news: Interview with Ani Lorak in the run-up to Eurovision 2009

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ani Lorak

• Official website
• Myspace
• Twitter
• Facebook

Achievements
Preceded by Verka Serduchka with "Dancing Lasha Tumbai"	Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008	Succeeded by Svetlana Loboda with "Be My Valentine! (Anti-Crisis Girl)"
Preceded by Sophia Paraskeva and Alex Michael	Junior Eurovision Song Contest presenter (with Timur Miroshnichenko) 2009	Succeeded by Leila Ismailаva and Dziаnis Kurian

Lieutenant General Desmond Kuek Bak Chye (Chinese: 郭木财; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Kueh Ba̍k-tsâi) was the 6th Chief of Defence Force (CDF) (born 28 August 1963) of the Singapore Armed Forces. He relinquished his appointment to Major General Neo Kian Hong (who himself relinquished the appointment of Chief of Army) on 31 Mar 2010.^[1]

He received his then-appointment as Chief of Defense Force on 23 March 2007, taking over from Lieutenant General Ng Yat Chung, having previously held the appointment of Chief of Army (COA).^[2] On 28 June 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, effective 1 July 2007.^[3]

Education[link]

Kuek joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) on 21 December 1981 after completing his studies at Anglo-Chinese School and Anglo-Chinese Junior College, and was awarded the prestigious SAF Overseas Scholarship in 1982.^[4] He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) (Engineering Science) and a Master of Arts Degree (Engineering Science) from the University of Oxford, UK. He also holds a Master of Public Administration Degree (Macro Economics, Statistics) from Harvard University, US.^[2]

Kuek received his military training in Singapore as well as in the US and UK. In 1985, he attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course in Fort Benning, Georgia, US, where he was awarded the Distinguished Allied Leadership Graduate. He completed Armoured Reconnaissance Officer Cadet Course and Armour Officer Advanced Course subsequently. He also topped both the Company Tactics Course and Battalion Tactics Course conducted locally at SAFTI. He has completed Basic Airborne Course and Underwater Diving Course. In 1991, he attended the Command and Staff Course at Camberley Staff College, United Kingdom; after completing a series of junior command and instructional appointments in Armour, as well as a staff appointment in the Joint Operations and Planning Directorate.^[2]

Career[link]

In the course of his military career, Gen Kuek went on to command the 41st Singapore Armoured Regiment in 1992, the 4th Singapore Armoured Brigade in 1994 and the 3rd Singapore Combined Arms Division in 1998. He also held command of the 54th Singapore Armoured Brigade, an operationally ready National Service Brigade, for a major overseas exercise in 1993. He has also held a number of key staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence and SAF. As Head of the Defence Studies Department in the Ministry’s Policy Office from 1993–94, he was responsible for defence policy research and information management. As the Assistant Chief of General Staff (for Operations) from 1995–97, he contributed to the high level of operational readiness and planning in the Army. He was appointed the Director of the Joint Intelligence Directorate in the SAF from November 2000 to March 2003, and concurrently held the appointment of Chief of Staff (General Staff) from Sep 2002 to March 2003.^[2]

Gen Kuek also held concurrently the appointment of Military Personal Secretary to the Minister for Defence for two years from 1989 to 1991; and was an Honorary Aide de Camp to the President of Singapore from 1992 to 1994. In 2000, he chaired the Executive Committee to organise the millennium National Day celebrations, which included the National Day Parade at the Padang, the Carnival at Marina Bay and the Maritime Review – a series of events commended by the President as “a stupendous success”.[1] He was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Military) (Gold) in 2002.^[5]

Before assuming the post of Chief of Defence Force, Gen Kuek was appointed Chief of Army on 1 April 2003. As COA, he steered the Army towards organisational excellence, transforming its force structure to enhance operational efficiency and eliciting peak performance from servicemen through the L.I.V.E (Leadership and Learning, Image and Identity, Values and positive Experience) movement. He significantly improved the Army's combat capability, especially in the areas of command and control, firepower and urban operations.^[2]

Current Appointment[link]

LG (NS) Kuek is now serving as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR).^[6][7]

References[link]

1. ^ "CHANGE IN CHIEF OF DEFENCE FORCE AND CHIEF OF ARMY". Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts. http://www.news.gov.sg/public/sgpc/en/media_releases/agencies/mindef/press_release/P-20100115-1.html. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Change of Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Army" (press release). Ministry of Defence (Singapore). http://app.sprinter.gov.sg/data/pr/20070206995.htm. 
3. ^ "463 SAF Officers Promoted" (press release). Ministry of Defence (Singapore). 2007-06-28. http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2007/jun/28jun07_nr.html. 
4. ^ "Government & Quasi Government Scholars". Anglo-Chinese Junior College. http://www.acjc.edu.sg/scholars/scholars.html. 
5. ^ "National Day Awards 2002 - The Public Administration Medal (Military) (Gold)". Prime Minister's Office. http://www.pmo.gov.sg/pmohq/nda/2002/7tpammg.html. 
6. ^ "Former Defence Chief appointed to Permanent Secretary post at MEWR". TODAYOnline, MediaCorp. http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100602-0000085/Former-Defence-Chief-appointed-to-Permanent-Secretary-post-at-MEWR. 
7. ^ "About MEWR: Organisation Chart". Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. http://app.mewr.gov.sg/web/Contents/Contents.aspx?ContId=6. 

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Li Yichang (李彝昌) was Dingnan Jiedushi (regional military commander) (935-967) during the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period.

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