14th World Peace Choral Festival Concludes Successfully in Vienna
Over 50 Events Celebrate Peace Through Music as Choirs Worldwide Unite in Harmony and Friendship

 

 The 14th World Peace Choral Festival came to a successful close in Vienna, Austria, on July 20, after four days of music, cultural exchange, and shared commitment to peace. Recognized as one of the most influential international choral festivals globally, this year’s edition brought together nearly 40 outstanding choirs and more than 1,700 choral enthusiasts from over 20 countries and regions, including Australia, Bulgaria, China (including Hong Kong), Cyprus, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Thailand, and more.

From July 17 to 20, Vienna’s most iconic musical venues and cultural institutions played host to over 50 performances, competitions, workshops, and community outreach programs. Through music, the festival continues to champion its mission of promoting peace, fostering intercultural dialogue, and advancing global humanistic values.

 

A Grand Opening: High-Level Ceremony Sets the Tone

The festival officially opened on July 17 at the Austria Center Vienna with a distinguished lineup of guests, including Professor Alois Glassner, Chair of the World Peace Choral Festival Artistic Committee; Professor Brigitte Weissengruber from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research; Christoph Jünger, Executive Director of UNICEF Austria; Professor Wu Lingfen, renowned Chinese conductor; Professor Richard Trappl, President of the Global Youth Music Association; and H.I.R.H. Herta Margarete Habsburg-Lothringen, President of the Flame of Peace. Patricia Anderle, representative of the Vienna city government, also delivered welcoming remarks.

The opening concert featured captivating performances at the Austria Center, followed by a special appearance at the United Nations Vienna Headquarters, where choirs sang for peace under the flags of the world—symbolizing a unified voice of global youth calling for harmony.

Meanwhile, choirs also visited local senior homes to deliver heartwarming performances, using music as a bridge between generations and demonstrating deep compassion and human care.

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A Multidimensional Celebration of Art, Education, and Public Good

July 18 marked the festival’s most eventful day, featuring over 20 activities, including the United Nations Special Concert, international masterclasses, “Voices for Peace” concerts, rehearsal sessions, and a UNICEF charity fair.

Workshops led by faculty from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and conductors from the Vienna Boys Choir offered deep insights into choral techniques, conducting methods, and stylistic interpretation—providing a world-class platform for artistic exchange.

The “Voices for Peace” concerts continued throughout the city at prestigious venues including St. Peter’s Church, Strauss Palace, and the House of Music, immersing audiences in a rich tapestry of musical cultures.

The ongoing UNICEF Peace Charity Sale invited choirs to sell creative cultural goods, turning their artistic passion into social contribution, with all proceeds supporting children’s welfare projects.

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Artistic Excellence on a Global Stage

On July 19, the international choir competition was held at MuTh, the official concert hall of the Vienna Boys Choir. More than 20 choirs competed in front of a panel of internationally renowned choral experts. The competition was not just a showcase of musical excellence but a vibrant exchange of cultural identities.

That evening, the “Voices for Peace” concerts continued across various venues, filling Vienna’s streets and concert halls with powerful harmonies and reaffirming the city’s role as a global capital of music and peace.

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A Glorious Finale at the Golden Hall

The festival concluded on July 20 with a grand celebration at the Musikverein’s legendary Golden Hall. In two final concerts, choirs from across the world took the stage, channeling emotion and unity through their performances.

The awards ceremony recognized outstanding choirs and conductors for their artistic achievement. Festival committee members and jury professors presented the honors, bringing the 14th edition of the World Peace Choral Festival to a resounding and heartfelt close.

Seven Signature Features of a Global Cultural Gathering

 

Since its founding in 2010, the World Peace Choral Festival has championed the slogan “Coming for singing, singing for peace.” This year’s festival stood out with seven key highlights:

1. A Peace Declaration on the United Nations Stage
   Invited by the UN Vienna Headquarters, choirs performed under international flags in a symbolic expression of peace and unity.

2. Art and Charity Combined
   Choirs held charity sales during “Voices for Peace” concerts, donating all proceeds to UNICEF to support children’s welfare.

3. Intergenerational Compassion Through Music
   Choirs brought music to senior homes across Vienna, promoting empathy and connection between generations.

4. Top-Tier Platform for Artistic Exchange
   Masterclasses and workshops facilitated exchange among global choral professionals, elevating the international standard of choral education.

5. World-Class Performance Venues
   From the Golden Hall and St. Peter’s Church to MuTh and the Austria Center, choirs enjoyed once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to perform on some of the world’s most renowned stages.

6. A Diverse, Global Choral Community
   With participation from over 70 countries since inception, the festival continues to build a vibrant international community. In 2026, it will expand to a dual-session format for the first time.

7. A Fair and Professional Competition
   A panel of distinguished international judges ensured artistic excellence and fairness, while offering valuable feedback to participating choirs.

 

Looking Ahead: Singing for Peace, Together

The World Peace Choral Festival is more than an artistic celebration—it is a global call for peace that transcends language, culture, and borders. Through music, participants share understanding, express emotion, and spread values that unite humanity.

The 15th World Peace Choral Festival will be held in two sessions in 2026 (July 9–12 and July 23–26), continuing to broaden its scope and invite even more voices from around the world to sing for peace.