15th World Peace Choral Festival Concludes Successfully in Vienna
The World Sings as More Than 20 Choirs from Over 18 Countries and Regions Unite in Vienna for Four Unforgettable Days of Music, Friendship and Peace！
The 15th World Peace Choral Festival successfully concluded in Vienna, Austria, on July 26, 2026, following four inspiring days of music, cultural exchange, artistic collaboration, and international friendship.
From July 23 to 26, the festival brought together more than 20 outstanding choirs from over 18 countries and regions, creating a vibrant international choral community in the heart of Vienna.
Over four days, participating choirs took part in a diverse programme of international performances, concerts, workshops, community outreach programmes, charity activities, a professional choral competition, and a gala concert, performing in some of Vienna's most renowned cultural and musical venues.
From the United Nations Headquarters Vienna and Vienna City Hall to St. Peter's Church, the House of Strauss, Sofiensäle, Schubertkirche, MuTh Concert Hall, and the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, the festival transformed Vienna into a meeting place for voices and cultures from around the world.
Guided by its enduring motto, “Coming for singing, singing for peace,” the festival once again demonstrated the power of choral music to transcend borders, connect people, and promote peace and mutual understanding.
A Grand Opening: Singing for Peace at the United Nations
The festival opened on July 23 with a series of special performances and activities across Vienna.
Continuing a long-standing tradition of the World Peace Choral Festival, participating choirs were once again invited to perform at the United Nations Headquarters in Vienna. At the Vienna International Centre (VIC), choirs from different countries and regions brought their voices together in an international setting dedicated to dialogue, cooperation, and peace.
The invitation to perform at the United Nations has become one of the most meaningful traditions of the World Peace Choral Festival. For the participating choirs, performing at the Vienna International Centre was far more than a concert experience. It was an opportunity to share the universal language of music in a place where nations come together, dialogue takes place, and international cooperation is fostered.
Once again, the powerful image of choirs from around the world singing together in Vienna, at a place representing international dialogue and cooperation, reflected the central spirit of the World Peace Choral Festival: bringing people and cultures closer through music, friendship, and a shared aspiration for peace.
A Grand Opening at Vienna City Hall
Following the day's community and international activities, the official Opening Ceremony took place at Vienna City Hall on the evening of July 23.
Continuing another cherished tradition of the World Peace Choral Festival, the festival was once again invited by the Mayor of Vienna to present a special performance at the magnificent Vienna City Hall. The invitation reflected the longstanding connection between the festival and the City of Vienna, as well as the city's continued support for bringing choirs and cultures from around the world together through music.
The ceremony was followed by the first “Voices for Peace” Concert, bringing the international choir community together on one stage. With more than 20 choirs from over 18 countries and regions participating in this year's festival, Vienna City Hall provided a truly remarkable setting for the opening of the 15th edition and for celebrating music, friendship, and peace in the musical capital of Europe.
Music Connects Generations: Bringing Voices to the Community
Another major feature of the 2026 festival was the “Music Connects Generations” programme.
Across July 23 and 24, participating choirs visited retirement homes and care facilities throughout Vienna, bringing live choral music directly to elderly residents.
The programme included 12 community concerts at facilities including Johann-Wilhelm-Klein-Haus, Pflege Meidling, Pflege Liesing, Haus Föhrenhof, Pflege Innerfavoriten, Pflege Baumgarten, Pflege Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus, Pflege Donaustadt, Haus Margareten, Gartensiedlung Fortuna, Haus Gustav Klimt, and Caritas Pflege Haus St. Teresa.
These performances transformed music into a direct human connection between international singers and local communities.
For the World Peace Choral Festival, peace is not only expressed on major stages—it is also created through kindness, empathy, respect, and personal connection.
A Multidimensional Celebration of Art, Education and Charity
July 24 became one of the festival's busiest days, combining United Nations performances, professional workshops, community concerts, “Voices for Peace” concerts, and charitable activities.
Five workshop programmes were held at renowned institutions including the House of Strauss, Haus der Musik, Sofiensäle, and Wiener Konzerthaus, providing singers and conductors with opportunities for professional learning, artistic exchange, and inspiration.
At the same time, the festival launched its UNICEF Donation Sales, inviting participating choirs to contribute local specialties, traditional products, cultural souvenirs, handmade goods, and other creative items from their home countries and regions to support children's welfare.
The charity initiative continued throughout the festival at three major venues:
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Vienna City Hall on July 23
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Sofiensäle on July 24
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MuTh Concert Hall on July 25
The donation sales became more than a fundraising activity. They created a vibrant cultural exchange, allowing choirs to share a taste of their homelands with audiences in Vienna while transforming their cultural traditions, local specialties, and creative contributions into support for children.
This initiative reflected an important principle of the festival: music can bring people together, culture can build bridges between communities, and together they can contribute to a better world.
International Workshops: Learning and Artistic Exchange
The festival’s International Workshops provided an important platform for artistic education, professional learning, and international exchange. Participating singers and conductors had the opportunity to explore different approaches to choral music, deepen their musical knowledge, and exchange artistic experiences with fellow musicians from around the world.
The workshops were held at renowned Vienna cultural institutions, including the House of Strauss, Haus der Musik, Sofiensäle, and Wiener Konzerthaus, adding an important educational dimension to the four-day festival programme.
Voices for Peace Across Vienna
The “Voices for Peace” Concert Series remained one of the central artistic highlights of the festival.
Following the opening concert at Vienna City Hall, further concerts were held at St. Peter’s Church, the House of Strauss, and Sofiensäle on July 24.
On July 25, the series continued at Schubertkirche and MuTh Concert Hall, bringing international choral music to different parts of Vienna.
The concerts presented a rich diversity of musical traditions and artistic styles, allowing every choir to share its own cultural identity while becoming part of a larger international musical dialogue.
Artistic Excellence on a Global Stage
On July 25, the International Choral Competition took place at MuTh Concert Hall, the concert hall of the Vienna Boys Choir.
Participating choirs presented their carefully prepared programmes before an international jury, demonstrating their musical excellence, artistic interpretation, ensemble quality, and stage presence.
The competition provided a professional platform for artistic achievement while encouraging international exchange and friendship.
The same day also featured the fifth and sixth “Voices for Peace” Concerts, held at Schubertkirche and MuTh, creating a day that combined competition, performance, and celebration.
A Glorious Finale at the Golden Hall
The festival reached its grand finale on July 26 at the legendary Golden Hall of the Musikverein Vienna.
Following the morning rehearsal, participating choirs took part in the Gala Concert from 14:00 to 17:00, bringing the voices of the international choral community to one of the world's most celebrated concert halls.
The final Award Ceremony recognized outstanding participating choirs and conductors for their artistic achievements, bringing the 15th edition to a memorable close.
After four days of concerts, competition, education, community engagement, charity, and international exchange, the festival concluded with a powerful celebration of music and friendship.
Looking Ahead: Singing for Peace, Together
The World Peace Choral Festival is more than a celebration of choral music. It is an international platform where music becomes a language of peace, friendship, cultural dialogue, and human connection.
In 2026, 19 choirs from more than 16 countries and regions came together in Vienna.
They sang at the United Nations.
They brought music to retirement homes.
They shared their cultures through the Voices for Peace concerts.
They learned from one another through workshops and artistic exchange.
They contributed to UNICEF through charity sales.
They competed, celebrated, and ultimately stood together on the stage of the Golden Hall of the Musikverein.
Different countries.
Different cultures.
Different voices.
One shared message: