“Singing makes the world a better place!”

After many successful events in Italy, such as the Choir Festival Isola del Sole in Grado, INTERKULTUR will bring choirs from each corner of the world once again to Southern Europe, to a place full of peace and harmony: Assisi. Under the protecting hand of its patron St. Francis they will have the opportunity to sing on Assisi’s stages and enjoy the treats of the medieval city in the region of Umbria from April 19-23, 2017.

We asked Giovanni Acciai, member of the Artistic Committee of the VOICES FOR PEACE International Choir Festival, why Assisi has been chosen for the event and what the city has to offer being the host of an international choir competition:

"The city of Assisi as well as Saint Francis of Assisi is well-known all over the world. We had thought about organizing a festival in the green heart of Italy. The Umbria region seemed to be ideal for an intercultural meeting like this because it follows the ideals of INTERKULTUR and promotes the message of peace through the universal language of music.

Currently the Italian people have to think a lot about the beautiful areas of Central Italy that have unfortunately been affected by the recent earthquakes. Many historic buildings have been seriously damaged or even destroyed by the shakings.

In Assisi we have the chance to make our choirs singing in places such as the Basilica of San Pietro or the Chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli, also known as Portiuncola, the origin of the Franciscan movement. In moments of sadness like this, those places are ideal to bring people from all over the world together.

IK: Several representatives of different religions and nations meet in Assisi every year in order to exchange views on the world's peace. How can the VOICES FOR PEACE Choir Festival be part of this peace movement?

"The basic idea of "Voices for Peace" can also be applied to INTERKULTUR: For nearly 30 years, the association has connected the world of singers in a peaceful setting. In my opinion INTERKULTUR is already part of this peace movement."

IK: What do you think are the essential points that the participating choirs will take home from Assisi?

The singers participating in our festival VOICES FOR PEACE will not only receive impressions of the beautiful landscape around Assisi, the brilliance of the historic buildings, the Italian hospitality and its authentic traditions. They will be part of unique moments that they may experience only once in their lives.

In such a sacred and important place like Assisi, where Saint Francis lived and worked, the singers will be able to confirm that they have succeeded in experiencing the great and universal value of choral singing; the value that makes it possible to build bridges between various cultures, between different nations and heterogeneous social groups. Singing together promotes community, sensitivity and mutual understanding. In short, it makes the world where you live a better place! Singing together helps meeting in a spirit that is free of prejudices and to communicate with each other. Singing together animates feelings of brotherhood and mutual appreciation.

The choir competition in Assisi, a place characterized by symbols and spirituality, offers a unique experience, especially because choral singing is the noblest manifestation of the people’s spirituality."

Giovanni Acciai is a renowned Italian composer, university professor, juror, workshop leader and conductor. He has directed among others The Chamber Choir of the Italian Broadcast and the Coro Sinfonico della RAI Turin. Today he is the artistic and musical director of the professional vocal and instrumental ensembles "Solisti del Madrigale" and "Nova Ars Cantandi", that can look back on a variety of concerts and studio recordings. The latest CD production with Nova Ars Cantandi ("Armonici entusiasmi di Davide" by Giovanni Battista Bassani) has been nominated for the International Classic Music Award as the best CD of the year 2017.

More information about the International Choir Festival VOICES FOR PEACE can be found on the event website. Choirs that are interested in taking part in this event can register until December 5.