Comments
Prof. Brigitte Weissengruber
Director of Music Education, Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture
"Through singing songs, all singers can find ways to acknowledge ways to spread peace from Vienna to the whole world."
Hu Xiaodi
Ambassador of Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna
"World peace is the common wish of all the people. So many young artists gather at the United Nations in Vienna today. They are representing the desire for peace of all human beings and the effort for achieving this peace in our world. Their performances here in Vienna are truly beautiful and of great significance."
Dr. Franz Loeschnak
President of the Organization for promoting Austrian and Chinese Relations
"The World Peace Choral Festival offers young singers a great possibility to take part in large-scale stage performances, workshops to learn from experienced musicians, and have a good time with friends from all over the world."
Prof. Richard Trappl
Head of Confucius Institute, University of Vienna
"What connects China and Austria, and what connects China and the whole world is on the one hand a rich tradition, on the other hand our responsibility for the future, a future which begins with the students and pupils who come here to participate in the founding of a wonderful project. As representatives of the University of Vienna, we are not only greatful but we wish all the best for this project, which combines eastern and western musical traditions."
Gerald Wirth
Former Artistic Director of the Vienna Boys Choir
"Find time to stroll a bit around the city- discover places where great musicians from the past created their master pieces. I am convinced this can serve as an inspiration for you. Music has the power to nourish humanity among people and it supports understanding and peace between cultures."
Dr. Claudia Schmied
Austrian Federal Minister for Education, the Arts and Culture
"Coming together to sing, singing for a better future" - taking the motto of the festival I wish the 2010 Vienna World Peace Choral Festival to be a great success!"
Dr. Michael Häupl
Former mayor of Vienna
"Music is an essential part of our art and culture, and music expresses the joy of living and acts as an international language for intercultural communication."
Mag. Barbara Prammer
President of national parliament, Austria
"We hope that this festival will encourage especially the younger generation to use music as a universally understandable language to close ranks. They will discover the connecting power of singing together and the fact that music is able to give us a more open-minded and tolerant future."
Raquel Torrente Machí
Participant and solo performer of Divisi Valencia Choir, Spain
"Thanks for giving me the best summer of my life"!
Prof. Petru Androne Eli
Vlastarele Orastiei, Romania
"I personally and the children from Vlastarele are very pleased by the special program, the warm reception and hospitality and above all the bonding among so many cultures. There is one thing we have realized: that indeed peace can be expressed through music and that music is the universal language for all of us. Another special moment for us is the concert at the UN and in the Golden Hall of Musikverein. We are very happy that three of our kids were selected for the World Peace Choir."
Unison Children's Choir
Romania
"A wonderful and professional team managed and organized one of the biggest music festivals in the world. We had a wonderful time in Vienna. We sang, we danced and we made many friends - as written in the festival anthem "Coming together to sing, singing for a better future!"
Federal Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture
Austria
"A great festival, wonderful friends!"
The KronenZeitung
The largest daily newspaper in Austria
"Starting from Austria's capital, the major humanitarian impulses have made their way to the world."
Lukas Herres
Conductor of the Vienna Boys Choir
"This concert is a very good idea because I think it's also important that children learn peace and not only adults and presidents work for it."
Dr. Bernhard Denscher
Head of the Culture Department, Municipal Government of Vienna
"The current political situation shows how important it is, especially today, that people from all over the world come together to talk, to exchange ideas and work together for a lasting peace in this world. And one of the best ways to establish positive relations between people is to make music."