Greek folk music, international choral performances and a shared song by Mikis Theodorakis marked the opening of the 6th International Choir Competition & Festival Kalamata on October 8 at Tenta Sports Hall. More than 1,000 singers from 38 choirs representing 16 nations are gathering in the Greek host city to perform, meet one another and build new friendships.

The procession of national flags highlighted the festival’s international diversity. Each participating choir brings its own musical traditions and stories to Kalamata. The Opening Concert offered a first glimpse of this variety while also giving the host city’s choral community a prominent place on stage.

“Callisto”, the female choir of “Lykeion ton Ellinidon Kalamatas”, opened the musical program with two Greek folk song arrangements, introducing guests to the host country’s musical traditions under the direction of Katerina Papadopoulou.

The Mayor of Kalamata, Athanasios P. Vasilopoulos, welcomed the international guests and officially declared the festival open. In his address, he highlighted the city’s longstanding connection to choral music and thanked INTERKULTUR, the local partners, sponsors and volunteers.

The festival’s two Artistic Directors, Stathis Giftakis from Kalamata and Romāns Vanags from Latvia, were recognised for their longstanding dedication. Vanags welcomed the participants, conveyed greetings from INTERKULTUR President Günter Titsch and introduced the international jury.

Vox Animae from Switzerland returned to Kalamata after receiving two Gold Diplomas here in 2019. This year, the ensemble conducted by Bernard Guye is also celebrating its 20th anniversary. Its Opening Concert performance featured works by Andrej Makor and Michaël Trotta.

Voce Eufonico from Slovakia, conducted by Margaréta Žňavová, contributed “Make a Joyful Noise” by Sally K. Albrecht and “Wau Bulan” by Tracy Wong. Latvia’s Tumes jauktais koris, conducted by Marta Ozola, brought music from its home country to the stage with a folk song arrangement by Jānis Ozols and “Vindo” by Reinis Sējāns and Jānis Šipkēvics.

The Youth Choir of the Municipal Conservatory of Kalamata, conducted by Ivan Matzaris, then brought the focus back to the host city. Its young singers, aged 11 to 19, performed “Kerkiraikos” and “Psaropoula”.

To close the evening, all choirs present were invited to sing “Sto Perigiali to Krifo” by Mikis Theodorakis together. Supported by the local choirs Melifono and Mousikos Omilos Kalamatas “Orfeus”, the shared performance gave voice to INTERKULTUR’s motto, “Singing together brings nations together”.

The coming days will bring international encounters, musical exchange, concerts and competition performances for the participating choirs. Check out INTERKULTUR on Social Media for more impressions and highlights from Kalamata throughout the festival. 

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