July 14 – 21, 2013 | Graz, Austria

For more than 20 years, INTERKULTUR has been fostering understanding and friendship among people from different nations, religions or denominations through peaceful musical festivals, with its innovative concept of choral competitions. The INTERKULTUR concept gives all choirs the opportunity to take part in international competitions – regardless of their personal level of artistic achievement or musical genre – and to benefit from the experience of internationally renowned choral experts and get advice for their artistic development.

The European Choir Games is the continental version of the World Choir Games – formally known as “Choir Olympics” – in Europe. INTERKULTUR has already celebrated the idea of continental choral competition in Asia (Asian Choir Games). In 2013 the continental Games premier in Europe – other continents will follow.

The core of the European Choir Games is the Champions Competition, which has been designed for experienced choirs from Europe. But the Austrian Open Competition, as second part of the core, is open to every choir from all over the world! On top of this, there will be a Grand Prix Competition for the Styria-Prize for the winners of each category of the Austrian Open Competition and additional choirs determined by the artistic directorate.

As always in INTERKULTUR competitions, the European Choir Games also offer the opportunity to take part without entering the competition stage. The “Friendship Concerts” offer the opportunity for several choirs to perform their programs together and on the same stage. There’s a long tradition and high appreciation for this kind of festival in INTERKULTUR events. In the framework of the European Choir Games, there is also the “Songs of Spirit” festival, which invites choirs of all religions and denominations, to share their music with a big international and multi-faith audience and get to know each other. Along with this festival, the 1st International Interreligious Conference 2013 will take place in Graz. “Songs of Spirit” will culminate in the international festival choir project, which leads to rehearsing and performing together the “Messa da Requiem” by Guiseppe Verdi.

Also benefit from the INTERKULTUR consulting offers! The Evaluation Performance is open to all participants of the European Choir Games. Choral experts will not adjudicate but give advice for the individual artistic development of choirs. The Individual Coachings with international choral experts are for the same purpose and especially useful for choral directors where they may get hints and advice.