Act of global significance

472 choirs set signals for the longing for future

472 choirs from 83 nations, more than 20 000 singers, excellently organized hosts, perfect venues – the World Choir Games (WCG), been opened in Shaoxing/China yesterday, promise to become the big event in the international choir community’s calendar 2010.

Since two years the INTERKULTUR team has been preparing for the event in collaboration with its partners in the city government and countless supporters and volunteers. By now everything is ready to make visions become reality. For the sixth time in the history of the biggest choir competition worldwide vocal ensembles from all continents arrived to celebrate a fascinating festival of peace and understanding according to the Olympic spirit, in a traditional and open minded city that is furthermore celebrating the 2500th anniversary of its foundation with a spectacular programme.

Günter Titsch, president of INTERKULTUR, valuates highly especially this year’s WCG. “Just in the last two years,” the originator of the choir festival says, “the world experienced once more its above all economic vulnerability. Regarding this situation all responsible persons’ wonderful involvement and their great support of the World Choir Games are an act maybe having even global significance.” According to Titsch the run of people on Shaoxing, first of all of young people, is an indication of their longing for a way out into a safe and liveable future. For him the singers that are going to the city at the Pearl River set a signal hard to miss. Shaoxing 2010 – it’s a colourful movement for commitment and encounters in harmony and great cultural curiosity.

From China alone 276 choirs, from a total of 14 provinces, came to the arenas and places, the halls and streets of these World Choir Games to present their singing skills and their region’s cultures. 276 choirs – it’s more than a record for WCG statistics, much more than a number that will make history. In 2000 when the success story of the World Choir Games began, eight choirs from China participated. One decade later this multiple of them is a sign that China’s culture is on the move, thus great things for the World Choir Games and for the future can be expected.

INTERKULTUR is conscious of the pedagogical significance of this development. China’s opening is certainly an indication that the unifying work of the German initiative bears fruits, Titsch: “We’re pleased about this and I’m a bit proud, too.”