16th International Folk Song Choir Festival

"Europe, Your Songs" Choir Competition and Concerts

Barcelona, Spain

October 1–4, 2026

The international folk song competition “Europa, deine Lieder” in Barcelona is open to all types of choirs. The choirs’ competition repertoire must include at least one folk song from the participating choir’s home country, and at least one additional folk song should originate from the European linguistic sphere. There is no required piece. The competition will take place in the beautiful Santa Maria del Pí Church, renowned for its outstanding acoustics, in Barcelona’s historic “Barrio Gótico,” and will conclude with a spectacular Spanish “fiesta” following the awards ceremony. Both the competition and the closing evening embody a special spirit of encounter; choirs from all over the world take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to get to know one another, thereby once again underscoring the peaceful, enlightening, and joyful nature of choral music.

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

October 1, 2026 – THURSDAY

- Arrival at accommodations in Barcelona and the surrounding area; hotel check-in.

- Afternoon: Meeting of the choir directors with the jury at the Church of S. Maria del Pi, followed by a discussion of the competition schedule and a drawing to determine the order in which the choirs will perform within their respective categories.

- Evening: Opening concert of the "Europa, deine Lieder" choir festival at the Church of Santa Maria del Pi , performed by the Belcanto Chamber Choir (Germany), conducted by Michael Rinscheid

October 2, 2026 – FRIDAY

- Morning: Rehearsals for the competition performances at the Church of S. M. del Pi (Pl. S. M. del Pi);

- Morning: Part I of the choir competition at the Church of S. M. del Pi (Pl. S. M. del Pi);

- Afternoon: Rehearsals for the competition performances at the Church of S. Maria del Pi (Pl. S. Maria del Pi);

- Evening: Part II of the choir competition at the Church of Santa Maria del Pi (Piazza Santa Maria del Pi).

October 3, 2026 - SATURDAY

- Morning: Rehearsals and performances by choirs in the festival category (choirs not participating in the competition).

- Morning: Announcement of the winners, awards ceremony with a concert by the winners, joint performance by all choirs of the "Ode to Joy" by Ludwig van Beethoven, arrangement by Felix Resch.

- In the evening: “Fiesta Catalana” and closing remarks by the president of the choir festival.

October 4, 2026 – SUNDAY

- In the morning: Open-air concerts in Barcelona's main squares.

- End of the festival and departure.

The program is subject to change for technical or organizational reasons

If the required minimum number of participants has not been reached by the deadline, the competition will be converted into a choir festival. Registered choirs will then be entitled to participate in the choir festival—that is, in all concerts, parades, and other events—or to request a refund of the registration and participation fees they have paid.