The city of Wernigerode has once again become the stage for a vibrant celebration of choral music: The 13^th edition of the International Johannes Brahms Choir Festival & Competition began with a powerful musical and emotional opening.

Opening Concert

The Opening Concert at the Konzerthaus Liebfrauen on Wednesday, July 2, set the tone for the days ahead. With choirs from Germany, China, and Costa Rica, the evening reflected the diversity and unity of voices gathered in this historic town at the foot of the Harz Mountains.

Wernigerode Mayor Thomas Kascha officially welcomed the international guests, expressing his pride in hosting this unique event: “Thanks to this artistic exchange, our city shines brighter, more vibrant, and more international than ever.”

INTERKULTUR Vice President Stefan Bohländer highlighted the global dimension of the event, noting that so many different choirs from different countries had arrived in Wernigerode to compete, sing, and connect. He emphasized the festival's motto: “Singing together brings nations together.”

A special moment of the evening was the introduction of the international jury, featuring experts from Ai Hooi Lim from Singapore, Mat Wright from Great Britain, and Rosie Mastrosavva from Greece, who will accompany the choirs throughout the coming days.

The concert itself offered an impressive range of repertoire: The Kammerchor Wernigerode from Germany, the Hangzhou Yangzheng Primary School Choir from China and Costa Rica’s Estudio Choralia all enchanted the audience with powerful music and rhythm’s from their home countries. 

A musical peek of what to expect from the upcoming days! 

Official Welcome

The opening festivities continued the next day on Thursday, July 3, when the city of Wernigerode extended an official welcome on its historic market square. With its iconic timber-framed town hall as a backdrop, the square filled with choral music, community spirit, and international flair.

Locals and visitors alike enjoyed the open-air celebration, where all participating countries were welcomed on the stage and selected choirs performed informally and met their fellow participants in a joyful atmosphere. Laughter, applause, and shared songs echoed between the half-timbered houses, making the town center a vibrant meeting point for cultures and voices.

The Opening Concert and the Town Hall welcome have set a festive and heartfelt tone for the days to come. Over the next few days, competitions, Friendship Concerts, and workshops will bring choirs and audiences closer together – in music, cultural exchange, and friendship.

Wernigerode once again proves that it’s not just a picturesque town, but a place where the world comes together in harmony.

Learn more about the event here.