A World United in Song

The 5th edition of the European Choir Games & Grand Prix of Nations is set to unfold from October 28 to November 5, 2023, turning Norrköping, Sweden, into a global center of choral excellence.  

The city is going to welcome 63 choirs and more than 2000 participants from 25 countries and regions. It’s promising to be a fascinating blend of cultures, music genres, and languages, all converging in the universal language of music.

INTERKULTUR President Günter Titsch emphasized the peaceful and harmonious spirit of the event, stating, "In the midst of a world yearning for togetherness, the 5th European Choir Games & Grand Prix of Nations emerge as a profound source of hope. It's a powerful reminder that music can warm our hearts and inspire unity among nations, a sentiment that we’re all longing for.”

Event Highlights

The Opening Ceremony at Louis De Geer Konsert & Kongress will set the stage for a musical celebration with Artistic Director Fred Sjöberg leading the Nordic Wind Ensemble and Musikaliska Sällskapets Kammarkör. The evening will feature cherished choral pieces, as well as songs from the famous Astrid Lindgren films, and Eurovision-winning tunes. Prepare to join the chorus and revel in the premier performance of Norrköping's European Choir Games Official Song "Voices of the world", composed by 17-year-old music student Millie Leanderson.

In a Parade of Choirs on November 2 (starting 17:00 h) which makes the motto of INTERKULTUR, "Singing together brings nations together," visible, singers will bring their music and culture to the streets of Norrköping. They start at Tyska Torget and conclude at Louis De Geer Konsert & Kongress for a heartwarming mingle of friendship.

Celebration Concerts are offering delightful performances about choral music from Sweden and abroad. Two of them will especially put a spotlight on performances by international participating choirs: "Let the Spirit Move You" on October 30 (20:00 h, Renströmmen) will showcase extraordinary choral performances from Sweden, Hungary, and France, presenting a repertoire that spans traditional favorites, lesser-known gems, and electrifying pieces by contemporary composers. On November 4 (20:00 h, Flygeln) a "PopXplosion” will captivate the audience with choir shows from Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Belgium, bringing harmonious voices to both timeless classics and chart-topping hits.

The Closing Ceremony, conducted by Artistic Director Fred Sjöberg, will feature the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra and 75 singers from different choirs of the region. They will give a variety of songs celebrating the European Choir Games & Grand Prix of Nations through the years and look ahead to get a glimpse of the future: the 6th European Choir Games & Grand Prix of Nations 2025 will take place in Aarhus, Denmark from June 28 to July 6, 2025.

The Competitions

The European Champions Competition is the heart of the event, where experienced European choirs compete for the title "Champion of the European Choir Games" in 10 different categories of choral music. But the event also features the Open Competition, welcoming amateur choirs from across the world, and the prestigious Grand Prix of Nations, designed for top-notch choirs from all over the world with extensive international competition experience. Choirs can qualify from the lower to the higher competition levels during the event.

Competitions and Friendship Concerts are inviting the public to join, admission is free! Information about ticketing for Celebration Concerts and Workshops as well as details on the event schedule are available at www.ecg2023.eu.