International voices and melodies in the land of gods

From October 14-18, 2015 the 1st Kalamata International Choir Competition & Festival takes place in Greece. INTERKULTUR and the Municipality of Kalamata are pleased to welcome 39 choirs from 14 nations, including choirs from Austria, Brazil, China, Greece and Russia. The international choral scene will celebrate the festival of music in Kalamata, which provides manifold cultural choices.

The festival will start tomorrow at 17h with a colorful Choir Parade through the inner city of Kalamata, where all choirs will introduce themselves for the first time with traditional costumes. The parade will be accompanied and cheered by some Greek Brass bands, including the Kalamata Philharmonic Orchestra. At the Opening Concert at 21h in the Tenta Sports Hall international choirs will be officially welcomed by local singers and the city of Kalamata. Following the Opening all participating choirs will sing together two pieces in honor of the Greek composer and Honorary Artistic President Mikis Theodorakis.

From October 15-17 the competitions take place in Kalamata. Selected venues, such as the Music Dance Hall, the Kalamata Municipal Theatre, the OAED Amphitheatre and the Greek Orthodox Church Holy Taxiarches Church, offer ideal performing conditions to the choirs.

Two Gala Concerts on October 15 and 16 at 22h in the Great Hall of the Kalamata Dance Hall, belong to the festival’s highlights. Choirs from Lithuania, Greek, Russia, Brazil, Estonia, China, Norway and the Republic of Congo will present the impressive diversity of choral music. One thing is certain: there is something to suit everyone's taste.

Following the slogan "Singing together brings nations together" the singers invite all choral friends to Friendship concerts in Kalamata and its surroundings, where the choirs will sing in a relaxed atmosphere. These Concerts have always the opportunity to get to know other cultures and make friends across national borders.

All winners of the 1st Kalamata Choir Competition & Festival will be announced during the Closing Ceremony on Saturday, October 17 at 21h. The second part of the ceremonial event includes a Closing Concert, where selected choirs will present their musicianship once again and the singers will say goodbye to the Greek host city Kalamata and their new friends.

The entry for all competitions and Friendship Concerts is free. Tickets for the Gala Concerts are available at the Kalamata Dance Hall and at the Kalamata Cultural Centre.

All recent news of the festival can be found here in the Newsroom. Follow us also on the event's Facebook page!

We wish you all awesome days full of choral music! Enjoy your stay in Kalamata!