XVI. INTERNATIONAL FOLK SONG CHOIR FESTIVAL

"Europe, your songs" choir competition and concerts

Barcelona, Spain

October 01 - October 04, 2026

The International Folk Song Competition "Europe, Your Songs" in Barcelona is open to all choral genres. The choirs' competition program must include at least one folk song from the participating choir's home country, and at least one other folk song should be from a European language. A compulsory piece is not required. The competition will take place in the beautiful, acoustically outstanding church of Santa Maria del Pí, in the historic "Barrio Gotico" of Barcelona, and will end with a magnificent Spanish "fiesta" after the award ceremony. Both the competition and the closing evening will demonstrate a special form of encounter: choirs from all over the world will use this wonderful opportunity to get to know each other, once again underlining the peaceful, sensitizing and joyful character of choral music.

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

01.10.2026 - THURSDAY

- Arrival at the accommodation in Barcelona and surroundings, hotel check-in.

- Afternoon: Meeting of the choir conductors with the jury in the church of S. Maria del Pi and discussion of the course of the competition with the drawing of lots for the order in which the choirs will perform in their respective categories at the competition.

- Evening: Opening concert of the choir festival "Europe, your songs" in the church of Santa Maria del Pi by the Belcanto Chamber Choir, Germany, conducted by Michael Rinscheid

02.10.2026 - FRIDAY

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

- In the morning: Part I of the choir competition in the church of S. M. del Pi (Pl. S. M. del Pi);

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

- Evening: Part II of the choir competition in the church of S. Maria del Pi (Pl. S. Maria del Pi).

03.10.2026 - SATURDAY

- In the morning: rehearsals and performances of the choirs in the festival category (choirs not participating in the competition).

- In the morning: announcement of the winners, award ceremony with prizewinners' concert, joint performance by all choirs with the "Ode to Joy" by Ludwig van Beethoven, composition: Felix Resch.

- In the evening: "Fiesta Catalana" and farewell greeting from the president of the choir festival.

04.10.2026 - SUNDAY

- In the morning: open-air concerts in the most important squares in Barcelona.

- End of the festival and departure.

Program subject to change for technical or organizational reasons

If the required minimum number of participants is not reached by the deadline, the competition will be converted into a choir festival. The registered choirs are then entitled to participate in the choir festival - i.e. in all concerts, parades and other events - or to demand a refund of the registration and participation fees paid.