17 June 2016 – Olympic Games of Choral Music take place on the African continent for the first time
INTERKULTUR, the leading organizer of international choir competitions and festivals will celebrate its 30th jubilee in 2018 with a spectacular anniversary – the 10th edition of the World Choir Games – and with a premiere: For the first time in its history Africa will be the host of the Olympic Games of Choral Music!
Watch the announcement video:
INTERKULTUR President Günter Titsch: “Having South Africa as our host makes a long-cherished dream come true – the biggest celebration of choral music will finally take place for the first time on the continent that gave the world singing, rhythm and dancing”.
Located in the heart of the Republic of South Africa the Gauteng Province and its metropolis municipality
Tshwane – where also Pretoria belongs to – will welcome thousands of young singers from all over the world from July 4 – 14, 2018. Councilor Kgosientso Ramokgopa, Tshwane Executive Mayor: “The City of Tshwane is truly representative of all the cultures of our rainbow nation and we cannot wait to welcome the choirs of the world and make them experience the beautiful sights, warmth of the African sun and friendly people. Singing is part of the cultural and spiritual fabric of South Africans, and it forms a core part of all people in this very diverse country”.
INTERKULTUR President Günter Titsch: “We’re firmly convinced that South Africa will be the same warmhearted and great host for the World Choir Games as it was for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Since its beginnings choirs from South Africa have been fascinating the audience and the other singers from all over the world at the INTERKULTUR events. It comes with a varied and vital choral scene like scarcely another country! 52 choirs participated altogether 93 times at 31 different INTERKULTUR events, and brought home Golden and Silver Medals. And it is not by chance that Stellenbosch University Choir is currently in the first place of the INTERKULTUR World Rankings: South Africa is a land of choirs, a land of singing. We’re looking forward to the first African World Choir Games!”
Since the beginning of the World Choir Games in 2000 the event fascinates singers from all over the world every two years. Former hosts were so far: the Republic of Korea (Busan), the Federal Republic of Germany (Bremen), the People’s Republic of China (Xiamen and Shaoxing), the Republic of Austria (Linz and Graz), the United States of America (Cincinnati), the Republic of Latvia (Riga) and the Russian Federation (Sochi).
More information about the 10th anniversary of the World Choir Games 2018 can be found on the official website at www.wcg2018.com.
