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The European Choral Association is delighted to officially announce the planning of the 22nd edition of the EUROPA CANTAT Festival, our major event designated to singers, choirs, and all choral lovers across Europe and beyond.
The festival will take place in Liepāja, Latvia, in August 2027 and will be organised in close cooperation with the Latvian Song Celebrations Society and Foundation Liepaja 2027.
The European Choral Association is looking forward to joining forces with local partners to organise the next edition of this event in Liepāja, as part of the city’s designation as European Capital of Culture 2027.
Liepāja, the third largest city in Latvia and the tenth largest in the Baltic States, is home to approximately 70,000 residents who call it their workplace and place of study. Liepāja owns a rich cultural and artistic heritage, offering a diverse range of events throughout the year. From exhibitions by local artists to performances by world-renowned talents, from classical concerts to lively beach festivals, the city is alive with creativity. At the heart of this cultural scene is the architectural gem, the Great Amber Concert Hall, known for its exceptional acoustics that capture the finest nuances of sound, making it a haven for music lovers.
Inta Šoriņa, Chairperson of the Board of Foundation Liepāja 2027: “It is with immense pride that we welcome the 2027 EUROPA CANTAT Festival to Liepāja. This prestigious international cultural event presents a golden opportunity to highlight Liepāja and the greater Latvian region as a beacon of Baltic music and creativity. For Latvia, a nation leading worldwide with its rich tradition of choral singing and a Song Festival honoured as part of the UNESCO World Heritage, hosting this event is a tremendous honour. We are dedicated to welcoming choirs from across the globe with the utmost respect and hospitality. Together with the residents and guests of Liepāja, we will create a celebration that will be remembered by all.”
From 1961 to 2021, the European Choral Association organised the EUROPA CANTAT Festival every three years, each time in a different country. The festival brought together singers and choirs from across Europe and around the globe to share their passion for singing and discover one another’s cultures by attending ateliers and workshops, perform in final concerts, listen to invited choirs, eat, sleep and have fun together. Learn more on the Festival here: europacantatfestival.org
Dermot O’Callaghan, newly-elected president of the European Choral Association for 2024-2027: “The European Choral Association is delighted to bring the EUROPA CANTAT Festival back to life after a challenging period for choral music post-pandemic and as we look to the future of international gatherings. Hosting this event in Liepāja is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the resilience and creativity of our community in a city that so perfectly reflects the values of the festival. We are proud to work with our Latvian partners to create an event that will inspire singers and choirs from across Europe and beyond to reconnect through collective singing.”
Stay tuned for more updates to come!
© Foundation Liepaja 2027