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A huge feedback about INTERKULTUR events

Being the leading organizer of major choral events INTERKULTUR is ranking first regarding international cultural exchanges. This association is continuously being honoured for its global engagement in terms of culture, international understanding and pedagogics. By organizing competitions, festivals and pedagogical offers INTERKULTUR creates a platform for an international exchange and a peaceful togetherness. A lot of positive feedback, acknowledgements, greetings and awards testify to the success of this event concept.

Greetings

Choral events by INTERKULTUR, and especially the World Choir Games, always attract the attention of renowned personalities from the fields of politics and culture. Many of them send greetings to the singers, buoying them up for their engagement for music, world peace and harmony.

Browse through a selection of greetings here.

Barack Obama

On the occasion of the opening ceremony of the 7th World Choir Games US president Barack Obama sent greetings to all the participants. It says: „[…] events such as the World Choir Games remember us of the power of choral music to overcome languages, cultures and borders and to reveal our common human being. These competitions offer artists a platform to share their talents and give the audience the possibility to listen to the harmonies of voices from all over the world […]“

The complete and original greeting by Barack Obama:

Greeting Barack Obama WCG Cincinnati 2012 (873 KB)

Barack Obama | © Pete Souza

Xi Jinping

Xi Jingping, president of the People’s Republic of China since 2013 and secretary general of the Communist Party China, on the occasion of the opening of the 6. World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China:

中共中央政治局常委、中央书记处书记、国家副主席习近平为比赛致贺信。习近平在贺信中代表中国政府和人民向本届比赛表示祝贺，向世界各国选手表示欢迎。贺信中说，世界合唱比赛作为当今世界规模最大的合唱活动，已成为国际文化交流的艺术盛会。相信时隔4年之后再次在中国举办的这一盛会，将让人们更好分享合唱和谐共鸣的欢乐，也必将进一步促进世界各国人民加强交流、增进友谊、和谐共处。祝愿来自五大洲的2万多名选手，用美妙的歌声、动人的旋律, 歌唱世界的和平、发展、合作，歌颂人类的团结、友谊、祥和，为推进世界合唱艺术的发展，为推动建设持久和平、共同繁荣的和谐世界作出积极贡献

English translation:
I sent my warmest congratulations to the 6th World Choir Games and welcome the international choirs on behalf of the government of the PRC and the people of our country. I believe after a lapse of four years the event was held in China, it will again allow people to share the joy of choral harmony and further help the people of the world to strengthen exchanges, enhance friendship and live in harmony. I send my best wishes to more than 20,000 participants from five continents that will sing for world peace and friendship to improve the development of choral art and make contribution to the harmony and prosperity in the world.

Greeting Xi Jinping WCG Shaoxing 2010 (332 KB)

Xi Jinping | © Reuters

Hu Jintao

On the occasion of the opening of the 4th World Choir Games 2006 in Xiamen, China the former president Hu Jintao also sent a greeting. Therein he express his wish „[…] that friends from all over the world will come to the city of Xiamen in order to let their voices resound in a choir for peace, progress, cooperation as well as for solidarity, friendship and harmony – mutual goals of all human beings including the Chinese nation. […]“

Please find the original greeting in Chinese and an English translation here:

Greeting Hu Jintao WCG Xiamen 2006 (301 KB)

Hu Jintao | © Cannes 2011

Sha Zukang

Professor Dr. iur. Dr. hc. mult. Wilfried Bergmann

Member of the chair of the Petersburger Dialog and the German-Russian Forum

Participating in a choir is like immerging in another element: To sense liveliness by a mutual experience. Therefore singing together in choirs belongs to the oldest activities of human beings as a rich selection of sacred and secular songs all over the world documents.

With great joy we again experience that the strong wish for conserving the musical heritage from different nations has found a resounding place at the World Choir Games.

The European Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Petersburger Dialog and the German-Russian Forum welcome that this important event will take place this year in the Russian Federation. The festival’s awarding to Russia is at the same time a reverence which appreciates the manifold performances of the Russian nation and its artists as an enrichment of the worldwide cultural landscape especially in the field of music.

I would like to express my cordial and explicit thanks to all who have committed themselves with their minds and hearts to realising the World Choir Games 2016. May the hymns and songs which come from our minds emanate from Sochi into the whole world and enrich our everyday life!

Professor Dr. iur. Dr. hc. mult. Wilfried Bergmann | © INTERKULTUR Archive

Mikhail Slavkin

Conductor, composer

Head of children's choir "Preobrajhenie" of the Union of Composers of Russiaauthor of choral works and songs for childrenworks at the State Children's Musical Theatrejuror at international choir competitions worldwide.

"Dear Mr. Günter Titsch!

I want to express you the sincere gratitude for the invitation me as the member of the International jury on the 9th WORLD CHOIR GAMES.

Ours more than 20-year creative friendship with you and INTERKULTUR is very dear to me and is priority for my creativity. Very much I hope that the 9th WORLD CHOIR GAMES will pass at the highest level and will become a major landmark in the history of the World choral movement at the head of which you stand from the date of INTERKULTUR basis. Heartily I wish you all success and wellbeing.

With sincere respect.

Mikhail Slavkin"

Greeting Mikhail Slavkin WCG Sochi 2016 (74 KB)

Võ Phùng

Director, Center for Culture, Sports, Radio and Television of Hội An City

Dear Mr. Günter Titsch,

First of all, I would like to deliver the most sincere greetings and best wishes to you.
Indeed, I was deeply touched and surprised when receiving your letter. Please accept my deepest thank for your warm wishes and your affection for Hoi An as well as for the Vietnam International Choir Competition in Hoi An. I was very delighted that this year's event gathered choirs from many different countries around the world; this diversity of participating countries proves that our event has been becoming well-known and truly as you said, "This wonderful International Choir Competition in Hoi An became one of the favorite destinations of the choirs from all parts of the world". And we are very proud of this. On this ocassion, I would also like to express my deep gratitude to you and INTERKULTUR for your great cooperation and support over the years to bring the event to the sixth season, and, I am confident that the event will go further in the future.

The complete and original greeting by Võ Phùng:

Greeting Võ Phùng 6th Vietnam International Choir Competition 2019(57 KB)

"As a member of the jury, I could not help being continuously fascinated by the diversity of choral expression and the variety of repertoire. This was a rare opportunity to open a window into the world of choral music."

Professor André de Quadros, juror, USA (2010)

"Thank you very much and congratulations on all the hard work and wonderful music you bring to the world even as far south as South Africa."

Letitia Burger, Akustika Chamber Singers, South Africa (2010)

"These major competitions are an excellent opportunity to improve my choir’s level of ability due to utmost personal motivation. We became category winners at the Federal Youth Singing a few weeks prior to Shaoxing and owe that in large part to the World Choir Games!"

Maria Fürntratt, conductor, Austria (2010)

"Music is the heart of harmony to the people of all over the world. The World Choir Games would be a great opportunity to all human beings to build friendship between all the human beings of the world."

Himalayan Choir and Festival Society Nepal, Nepal (2010)

"INTERKULTUR continues to bring out endless opportunities for choirs all over the world to showcase their talents and gain experience and exposure in the international choral scene. […]"

Ron Oñate, conductor, Philippines (2011)

"It was a thoroughly enjoyable, enriching and informative experience. I really felt I had the chance to 'gel' with new colleagues and that I made many new friends as a result. I continue with my own work now with new inspiration and enthusiasm."

Katie Thomas, juror, Great Britain (2014)

"It has been exhausting for all of us, but has been one of the most magical experiences we have had with the choir."

Barnsley Youth Choir, Great Britain (ECG & GPoN Magdeburg 2015)

"INTERKULTUR in cooperation with local and regional boards was able to attract 100 amateur choir and 3,700 participants from 35 countries to join the choral festival in Magdeburg. […] The choirs bring all the positive artistic and amicable contacts into the world, which will contribute to lovely memories of their stay in Magdeburg. […] There no doubt that the European Choir Games and the Grand Prix of Nations was an important contribution to our cultural life and an image benefit for our city, which is also a benefit for our tourism industry."

Lutz Trümper, Mayor of the city of Magdeburg, Germany (ECG & GPoN Magdeburg 2015)

"The World Choir Games offer unique musical and cultural experiences and in the evaluation of competitions, workshops and further educational activities a professional international expertise at the highest level."

nmz – Neue Musikzeitung, 2016-06-21

“We have known each other for many years and I've lived, choral competition after choral competition, the relentless growth of INTERKULTUR and the enormous efforts you have made to offer choirs from around the world the opportunity to meet in the sign of choral music and to live the wonderful experience to sing together. Through INTERKULTUR you have been able to create a reality that has no equal in the world.”

Giovanni Acciai, Italy

"Running such an event organizationally, substantially and artistically testifies long-standing experience, professional expertise and great management. Once again: my respect and my appreciation for this accomplishment. Congratulations!"

Hans-Peter Schurz, Germany

“Thank you for the wonderful support and organization in Riga. These WCG will stick in one’s memory. Such Games in a country where singing is a basic food will be unforgettable. I’m happy and grateful that I was able to be a small part of this event. “

Jürgen Budday, Germany

“I want to thank you for the wonderful Choir Games, for the blessing atmosphere, for the opportunity to present oneself that you have given to the city of Magdeburg! For me it was days full of joy, excitement, getting to know each other, taking into ones’ hearts, full of emotions…”

Judith Zadek, Zadek Management and Strategy GmbH, Germany (ECG & GPoN Magdeburg 2015)

"Due to the World Choir Games the Graz Summer of Events 2008 will stay not only in my memory but will also occupy an important place in our city’s collective memory. The roughly 20,000 singers that cheered up and animated Graz during these World Choir Games burned themselves in to the Graz residents ‘hearts in a positive sense through their musical performances and their joyful and colorful appearance."

Mag. Siegfried Nagl, Mayor of the city of Graz, Austria

„You just have to witness this; it’s an abiding experience, as I can tell you first-hand.”

Peter Gaffert, Mayor of the city of Wernigerode

“We are happy to be participants of INTERKULTUR events. In this regard I would say your events give people opportunities to not only share their cultures, but to see what makes each country unique.”

Children's Choir "Alye Parusa", Russia (WCG Sochi 2016)

“You can unite nations through the art of music, and especially singing."

André van der Merwe, Stellenbosch University Choir, South Africa

"Everybody in Kalamata talking about your music competition. It was a big success!!!!!! I would like to thank you for the cooperation from my side. I hope you be satisfied with our services and we hope to a future cooperation. "

Maria Maniati, Outbound Group Sales (Kalamata 2015)

“I am so happy about this! Many brilliant choirs in South Africa who could NEVER afford to travel internationally will now get a chance to compete, take part, share, exchange ideas and be involved in the biggest choral spectacle on Earth. Well done, INTERKULTUR!”

Bernard Krüger, Drakensberg Boys Choir, South Africa (WCG Tshwane 2018)

“It was a fantastic experience to be an adjudicator on the WCG in Riga! Great city, fantastic organizing team :)), superb choirs - so thank you very much for the invitation! I always participate with big pleasure on such great choir competitions!”

Gyönggyösi Levente, juror, Hungary (WCG Riga 2014)

„A great success for the Jazz choir at Cologne University: The singers were awarded a Gold Medal at the World Choir Games in Sochi, Russia. […] The ensemble and their conductor Dietrich Thomas are full of joy: ‚It’s a huge success and reward for our intense rehearsal and concert work and exceeded all expectations.”

Report-k.de, Köln, 2016-07-20

“Yes, Riga was amazing! Quite an experience like no other. I was very impressed with the quality of the organization and the attention to detail - good German preciseness!”

North-West University PUK Choir, South Africa (WCG Riga 2014)

“Just in a few hours we will be on our way home... We are taking our vags full of happiness and joy! Thank you all for the opportunity to be here speaking all the same language: music!!!”

Crescendo Arte Choirs, Colombia (WCG Riga 2014)

"Meeting new people, exchanging experiences and sharing something we all love – that is what for me INTERKULTUR and its events are all about."

Jelena Dobrota, Female Chamber Choir "Banjalucanke", Bosnia and Herzegowina

“What a wonderful event and what a wonderful time we had! And on top of that to have been a category winner was just amazing! My students are still talking about it and I know they will continue to do so for years to come! We will definitely be participating in future events and look forward to working with you more in the future. This has definitely been a great experience!”

James Reddan, Linn-Benton Community College Choirs, USA (WCG Riga 2014)

“It was a wonderful event and and I was happy to be a part of it, to meet you all once again, and to make new friends as well. The INTERKULTUR staff were in top form as usual, and the choirs were on the most part quite amazing!”

Aharon Harlap, juror, Israel (WCG Riga 2014)

"Please let me tell you again how wonderful it has been to work with all of you this year! As the pictures prove, the students had a fantastic time and were very happy with the festival overall! I so appreciate the organization, panel of judges, and welcoming atmosphere of the competition and this kind of festival is such an incredible learning experience for our students!"

Roane State Community College Choirs, USA (Málaga 2015)

"It is no exaggeration to say that these days with you all have been a real massage for my soul and a source of inspiration. Congratulations for the work done and your effectiveness throughout. "

Oscar Boada, juror, Spain (Calella 2014)

"I feel very grateful and honored for being member of this incredible working team. I'm sure that the next two years, in the way of the 10th World Choir Games and 30th INTERKULTUR anniversary, will be full of successfully events."

Daniel Garavano, juror, Argentinia (WCG Sochi 2016)

"There is no other choral gathering like it in the world which can compare that brings together singers with such an enormous spirit of great joy and collegiality."

Robert Cooper. juror, Nigeria (WCG Sochi 2016)

"I am proud to be one of the old friends of INTERKULTUR, - I believe that our cooperation already started in 1990 - and I was always glad to see how the organization has developed. I'm always happy to participate as a jury member."

Steen Lindholm, juror, Denmark (WCG Sochi 2016)

"It has been a real pleasure for me to underscore with the attendees the global importance of the work you and all at INTERKULTUR have done and are doing."

Morten Lauridsen, Honorary Artistic President, USA

Awards for INTERKULTUR

Important people and institutions from politics and culture consistently appreciate the work of INTERKULTUR and pay tribute to it by awarding relevant distinctions. A selection has been compiled on these pages.

World Choir Games Month

On February 17, 2012 the U.S. Senate issued a resolution submitted by Ohio senators Mr. Rob Portman and Mr. Sherrod Brown "recognizing the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati, Ohio as a global event of cultural significance to the United States and expressing support for designation of July 2012 as World Choir Games Month in the United States."

Furthermore the U.S. Senate expresses its appreciation to the organizers of the World Choir Games 2012 and their efforts to secure and host the World Choir Games as well as to all people of the world who will participate in the World Choir Games, either in competition or as visitors and to all of the volunteers who will welcome the participants and other visitors to the United States.

The resolution by the U.S. Senate in original terms:

US Senate Resolution (124 KB)

European Culture Award 2006

Every year the KulturForum Europa e.V. awards the KulturPreis Europa (European Culture Award) to people who have rendered outstanding service to the idea of Europe as a role model of the peaceful coexistence of many different people.

2006 awardee was the Förderverein Interkultur e.V. and the World Choir Games:

"Culture creates Tolerance – Spreading peace with the help of culture". To serve this motto by creating an opportunity for choirs from all over the world to meet and compete in peace and harmony is a remarkable accomplishment. And it is an achievement to which the INTERKULTUR organization can rightly lay claim since it has been organizing such events for far over a decade now.

This also includes the initiation and organization of the WORLD CHOIR GAMES, which nowadays play a decisive role: Culture, including music, is something that can bring people of different nationalities and cultures together. It represents a stone in the colorful mosaic of world cultures and is truly worthy of promotion. Music is a valuable element in the overall cultural and social heritage of each and every individual state and it is vital that we integrate and use it, especially at a time when intellectual, cultural and social aspects that contribute to the realization of this idea are under threat from nationalistic tendencies that overlook the value of this community as a whole.

"It is both a privilege and a pleasure for me to announce, that the INTERKULTUR organization, represented by its President Günter Titsch, has been awarded the KulturPreis Europa 2006 (European Culture Award 2006). […]"

The complete speech by Dieter Topp from the KulturForum Europa can be downloaded here:

European Culture Award 2006 (32 KB)

European Culture Award 2006 | © INTERKULTUR