The World Peace Choral Festival 2015

FESTIVAL REPORT
July 22nd - 25th 2015, Vienna

Gerald Wirth, artistic director of the Vienna Boys Choir, also serves as artistic director of the World Peace Choral Festival. In 2015 the World Peace Choral Festival celebrated its 6th anniversary. More than 800 children have participated in the 2015 World Peace Choral Festival. FACTS AND FIGURES The choirs participating in the 2015 World Peace ChoralFestival came from Austria, Germany, Ireland, Estonia, China (Mainland, Hong Kong), Israel and Cyprus, etc. The Vienna Boys Choir is a fixed component of the World Peace Choral Festival's Gala Concerts at Vienna Concert Hall. St. Stephen's Cathedral, MuTh Concert Hall, Palais Augarten, Peters Church, Minorites Church, retirement homes, the Vienna International Center (The United Nations Headquarters in Vienna) and the Vienna Concert Hall, etc. have served as venues for the 2015 World Peace Choral Festival.

A SIGN FOR WORLD PEACE

"Coming together to sing, singing for a better future", under this motto the World Peace Choral Festival took place in Vienna from July 22nd to July 25th, 2015 for the 6th time. Over 20 children's and youth choirs from all around the world came to the music capital of the world, exhibited their passion for music and performed their own understanding of the choral world with their national background to the international audience. The choirs participated consist of more than 800 children from Germany, Ireland, Estonia, China (Mainland, Hong Kong), Israel, Cyprus and the world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir from Austria. Since 2010, the World Peace Choral Festival has been aiming to provide a platform for the young generation of different countries to perform, communicate and to create better intercultural understanding.

The Festival of this year presented a 4-day's program of manifold exciting artistic activities including the following highlights: the Opening Ceremony at St. Stephen's Cathedral, Voices for Peace Concerts at the Vienna Boys Choir Concert Hall (MuTh), Peter's Church and Minorites Church, Workshops at the residence of the Vienna Boys Choir Palais Augarten, Competition and the "Gottfried von Einem Awards Concert" at the MuTh Concert Hall, Performance for peace at the United Nations Headquarters in Vienna, Music without Borders concerts at different retirement homes in Vienna, Barbecue Party along the Danube riverside, Donation Sales to UNICEF and Gala concerts at the famous Vienna Concert Hall.

On the afternoon of July 22nd, all choirs gathered in Vienna's most famous church and landmark: St. Stephen's Cathedral. The young choristers were received by representatives of the Austrian Federal government, the city government of Vienna, Confucius Institute and Gerald Wirth, the artistic director of the World Peace Choral Festival.

On July 25th, during the Rehearsals and Gala Concerts at the Vienna Concert Hall, the children sold souvenirs and merchandising articles from their countries. The sales income has been donated to UNICEF for children in need. It is a very meaningful event for all participating choirs.

On the July 25th and in the beautiful summer time, the festival closed successfully with the Gala Concerts at the famous Vienna Concert Hall. All participating choirs performed its own repertoire and they also sang with the famous Vienna Boys Choir together  - "coming together to sing, singing for a better future" conducted by Mr. Gerald Wirth, artistic director of the Vienna Boys Choir. All the present children were smiling at each other hands in hands and witnessed a successful ending of the 6th World Peace Choral Festival with excitement and the biggest nostalgia! It was the highlight of the festival and gave the choir members an unforgettable memory. Participants were excited by the festival and gave a very positive feedback.