Opening Event in Kalamata © INTERKULTUR

Opening of the 5th Kalamata International Choir Competition & Festival

900 singers from 14 nations join the event in a celebration of music and culture

Int. Choir Competition & Festival Kalamata

The 5th Kalamata International Choir Competition and Festival officially kicked off with an atmospheric Opening Event at the Tenta Sports Hall on October 10, 2024. The event is bringing together 26 choirs from 14 nations, amounting to over 900 singers, in a celebration of music, culture, and unity. The competition is organized by INTERKULTUR in collaboration with the City of Kalamata, has become a beacon for choral enthusiasts worldwide, this year with participants hailing from as far as Iceland and Singapore.

The evening began with the procession of flags representing each participating nation, accompanied by big applause and cheers from the audience. The atmosphere in the hall was electric as the international choir community gathered once again in Kalamata, a city that has established itself as a significant cultural hub for choral music over the past decade.

The welcoming speeches were heartfelt, with the Mayor of Kalamata, Mr. Athanasios Vasilopoulos, expressing his pride in hosting such a prestigious event for the fifth time. His address emphasized the long-standing partnership between the city and INTERKULTUR, as well as the dedication of the local community in supporting this festival. He concluded by declaring the event officially open with a warm, “Let us all enjoy the harmony, passion, and magic of choral music”.

INTERKULTUR’s Artistic Director Romans Vanags encouraged in his welcoming speech all the participants to strive for excellence and enjoy the beauty of Kalamata. His words reinforced the festival's motto, "Singing together brings nations together," reflecting the core spirit of the event.

The concert program in this opening event featured international choir performances and invited the audience to join a musical journey through the world: The S!P!K! Choir from Latvia captivated the audience with their rendition of "Ticība," a song that speaks of faith and hope for a brighter future. This was followed by Singapore's Equaver, who presented a traditional Indian piece and “Flower of Love,” a tribute to friendship and harmony through music. The young singers of the MSGA Youth Choir from Slovakia then took the stage, showcasing their multilingual repertoire that merged Slovak and Hungarian influences. Switzerland’s Vokalensemble incantanti concluded the musical performances with traditional songs that highlighted the unique cultural landscapes of the Alps.

The evening ended on a high note with a special rendition of the Greek song "Sto perijiali to krifo," performed by all choirs together, symbolizing unity and shared musical heritage. This joint performance, conducted by Loukas Georgas, served as a beautiful reminder of the festival’s theme: bringing people together through the universal language of music.

The 5th Kalamata International Choir Competition and Festival is still running until October 14. The full program is available here.

For more photos and videos of the event, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Opening Event in Kalamata © INTERKULTUR Opening Event in Kalamata © INTERKULTUR

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