From 12th to 15th of September the city of Varna was the host of the 42nd edition of the International Choir Competition “Prof. Georgi Dimitrov” and the 34th Competition for the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing – 2024. There we experienced a few emotional days, an exceptional festival of choral music. Guests from all over the world and the country were invited to Varna.

At the Opening Ceremony of the Competition we had the pleasure of listening to Messe in h moll from Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by the Festival Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir “Preludiu – Voicu Enăchescu”, Romania / in partnership with the “Varna Summer” International Music Festival.

8 choirs took part in the Competition – Academic choir “Tone Tomšič” from the University of Ljubljana – Slovenia, IMUSICAPELLA – Imus, Philippines, Academic Choir “Angel Manolov” – Sofia, Bulgaria, New Dublin Voices – Dublin, Ireland, Parahyangan Catholic University Choir or (UNPAR Choir) – Bandung, Indonesia, The Mad Singers – Yuen Long, Honk Kong, Youth Choir Kamēr… – Riga, Latvia and Emil Komel youth mixed choir – Gorizia, Italy.

After the ranking in the different categories on Friday (13 September) 4 choirs were able to compete for the Varna Grand Prix: Imusicapella from the Philippines, UNPAR Choir from Indonesia, The Mad Singers from Honk Kong and Youth Choir Kamēr… from Latvia. The prize was awarded to Youth Choir Kamēr… – Riga, Latvia, under the direction of Jurgis Cabulis, which is now one of the finalists for the European Grand Prix for choral singing, scheduled for October 2025 in Tolosa, Spain.

The choirs of both Competitions were judged by an International jury – esteemed professionals in the choral sphere – Burak Onur Erdem – Turkey, Cecilia Rydinger – Sweden, Frieder Bernius – Germany, Lorenzo Donati – Italy, Stephen Layton – United Kingdom, Slavil Dimitrov – Bulgaria, Darina Krosneva – Bulgaria.

Less than 48 hours ago, on 14 September 2024 we were able to be a part of one unforgettable event in the choral world – the 34th Competition for the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing – 2024.

We are proud that after the years of the pandemic we were able to return to our normal rhythm, and bring fresh energy to the choir community, eager to find out the final winner for 2024.

Our finalists were:

Coro da Camera di Torino from Torino, Italy (They won the Grand Prix from the 71st International Polyphonic Competition “Guido d’Arezzo” in 2023)

Suhar Korua from Donostia, Basque Country (awarded the Grand Prix from 54th Tolosa Choral Contest in 2023)

Zero8 from Stockholm, Sweden (winners of the Grand Prix from the International Choir Competition Gallus Maribor in 2023)

Coro de Jovenes de Madrid from Madrid, Spain (winners of the Grand Prix from the 41st International Choir Competition “Prof. Georgi Dimitrov” in 2023)

The winner of the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing – 2024 is Zero8 from Stockholm, Sweden.