19th International Choral Festival

Festival overview

The 19th International Choral Festival was held in Vranov nad Topľou, Slovakia (June 15-18, 2006) under the patronage of the Mayor of the town, PhDr. Tomáš Lešo, and the Minister of Culture of the Slovak Republic.

Information about the festival

• Non-competitive choral festival open to all age categories.
• Choirs from Slovakia and abroad were invited to participate.
• Concerts took place in the Culture House and churches in Vranov nad Topľou, in Hanušovce nad Topľou, and in Vyšný Žipov.

The conditions for participation of choirs in the festival

• Choirs were invited:
• as reciprocal partners (no accommodation/board fee),
• without reciprocity (accommodation and board fee: 40 EUR / person / full stay).
• Accommodation and board were offered at the resort in Juskova Voľa, SOUP hostel, Hotel Patriot in Vranov nad Topľou, Hotel Dobrá at Domaša, or with OZVENA host families.
• For the common gala concert, choirs prepared Eugen Suchoň’s composition ‘Aká si mi krásna’.

Festival review

The 19th edition confirmed the festival’s established place in the European choral landscape. From June 16-18, 2006, domestic and international choirs performed in a series of concerts and liturgical appearances in Vranov nad Topľou, Hanušovce, Merník, and Vyšný Žipov.

The highlight of the edition was the gala concert at the Culture House, dedicated to the jubilee of composer Zdenko Mikula, which concluded with a joint performance of Suchoň’s ‘Aká si mi krásna’ by hundreds of singers. The festival was complemented by accompanying professional and social events, including a seminar, museum visits, discussion clubs, and meetings of choir directors.

Vilma Krauspeová, Chair of the Festival Organizing Committee