This spring, the city of Rimini once again became the cultural hub of Europe as it welcomed participants of two internationally renowned festivals — “World of Choirs” and “Sun of Italy”. Held on the picturesque Adriatic coast, both festivals took place at the charming Teatro Tarkovskij on April 26, 2025.
World of Choirs
The “World of Choirs” competition brought together four outstanding choirs from Turkey, Lithuania, and Bulgaria, featuring approximately 200 talented young vocalists. Choirs competed across several categories:
- Youth choirs of mixed voices
- Children’s choirs
- Folklore ensembles
Performances were judged by a distinguished panel of experts:
Laura Mungherli – Artistic director of Center Stage a.s.d.c., certified classical dance teacher (Royal Academy of Dance, London), and accomplished musician and arts producer with a deep involvement in youth arts education and production.
Andrea Angelini – Esteemed conductor, composer, and pianist with advanced studies in choral conducting and composition across Italy and the UK. He is also the founder and artistic director of the Musicaficta Association.
Susanna Polzoni – A multidisciplinary performer and composer, Susanna is a regular guest at international festivals as a jury member and masterclass presenter, known for her talents in singing, acting, and instrumental music.
Immediately after the performances, the results were announced, bringing excitement to both participants and audience members. The prestigious Grand Prix of the “World of Choirs” was awarded to the Klaipeda Vyduno Gymnasium Children‘s Choir from Lithuania, under the direction of Arvydas Girdzijauskas, with Romualdas Kalvenas as accompanist.
A full list of winners and prize recipients is provided in the table below.
| Klaipeda Vyduno Gymnasium Children‘s Choir / LITHUANIA teacher: Arvydas Girdzijauskas, conductor: Arvydas Girdzijauskas, accompanist: Romualdas Kalvenas | children’s choir | GRAND PRIX |
| Children’s choir ‘Danube waves’ / BULGARIA conductor: Vesela Todorova, accompanist: Gergana Vicheva | folklore | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| FMV AYAZAĞA IŞIK HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR / TÜRKİYE teacher: B. Arda Erdoğan, Taygun Fulürya, director: Serap Çaldıran Ersoy, B. Arda Erdoğan, Taygun Fulürya | youth choirs of mixed voices | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| FMV Ispartakule Isık School Choir / TÜRKİYE director: Serap Çaldıran Ersoy, conductor: Nesli Tekin Özataç, Cemal Cemran Alan, Zühal Sevim | children’s choir | Bronze diploma from 70 to 79 points |
In addition to the main competition, this year’s festival featured a special concert at the historic Tempio Malatestiano cathedral — an extraordinary moment in the festival’s history. For the first time ever, the ancient walls of this magnificent church resonated with live choral music, performed by the Fiestalonia Milenio choirs. Until now, no ensemble had ever sung to an audience and congregation within this revered space.
The choirs presented a moving selection of world sacred music, and the performance was met with thunderous applause — a testament to the power of music to connect across time, space, and tradition.
Sun of Italy
The second part of the event day was dedicated to the vibrant multi-genre competition “Sun of Italy”, celebrating diversity in the performing arts.
Audiences were treated to an inspiring variety of performances:
- A flutist from Romania
- Vocalists from France, Kazakhstan, and Israel
- Dance groups and soloists from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Morocco
- A fashion theatre presentation by a Turkish group featuring a choreographed catwalk set to modern rhythms
- Two young artists from Kazakhstan showcased their skills in original genres — dramatic reading and mime performance
Meanwhile, a visual arts exhibition featuring works from participating artists ran throughout the day. Festival attendees had the opportunity to view and appreciate these pieces, celebrating creative expression in every form.
At the close of this unforgettable day, all participants received their well-deserved awards — a celebration of their passion, effort, and artistry.
We thank everyone who took part in this year’s editions of “World of Choirs” and “Sun of Italy”. Your energy and creativity continue to inspire us and bring the international artistic community closer together.
| Mihaela Manciu / ROMANIA (flute) Karolina Levin-Muliar – ROGA and KOPITA (pop opera) Jumanova Moldir / KAZAKHSTAN (pop singing) Timoshenko Arina / KAZAKHSTAN (bollywood dance) SURPRISE / MOROCCO (variety dance) Kazakhstan Intellectual School “Bayterek” / KAZAKHSTAN (folk stylized dance) Timoshenko Arina / KAZAKHSTAN (folk dance) Aida Daumova – Children’s ballet school Coppelia / KAZAKHSTAN (folk dance) Kamaldinov Aldiyar / KAZAKHSTAN (art) Duissebek Bayan / KAZAKHSTAN (art) Meirbekova Alua / KAZAKHSTAN (art) | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| Elizabeth or Hershkovitz – VOICE OF DUDARAVA / FRANCE (pop singing) Misha Malkin – VOICE OF DUDARAVA / FRANCE (pop singing) Sherkhanova Ailin / KAZAKHSTAN (pop singing) TRIO «MixVoice»: Elizabeth Or Hershkovitz, Dudarava Hanna, Misha Antonia Malkin – VOICE OF DUDARAVA / FRANCE (pop singing) Aida Daumova – Children’s ballet school Coppelia / KAZAKHSTAN (contemporary) Ariana Shnyakina – Kazakhstan Intellectual School “Bayterek” / KAZAKHSTAN (ballroom dance) Kazakhstan Intellectual School “Bayterek” / KAZAKHSTAN (folk stylized dance) TRIO: Kazakouskaya Safiya, Mikhailova Albina, Mikhailova Alisa – Choreographic group Vishenka / BELARUS (variety dance) Yerden Zhamalbek – Kazakhstan Intellectual School “Bayterek” / KAZAKHSTAN (original genre, readers) Akbota Sagindykova – Kazakhstan Intellectual School “Bayterek” / KAZAKHSTAN (original genre, pantomime) Dosbol Assiya / KAZAKHSTAN (art) Tolebek Gani / KAZAKHSTAN (art) Asker Daniyar / KAZAKHSTAN (art) Serikbay Maruan / KAZAKHSTAN (art) Sagindykova Amina / KAZAKHSTAN (art) Keikin Batukhan / KAZAKHSTAN (art) | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| Yemtsov Maxim / KAZAKHSTAN (pop singing) Voloskov Ivan / KAZAKHSTAN (pop singing) Elizabeth or Hershkovitz – VOICE OF DUDARAVA / FRANCE (pop singing) Kharitonova Karolina – Kazakhstan Intellectual School “Bayterek” / KAZAKHSTAN (pop singing) Zhakenova Dilara / KAZAKHSTAN (pop singing) Reflection of futurism / TÜRKIYE (fashion design) | Bronce diploma from 70 to 79 points |
Do you want to participate in the International Choir Contest “World of Choirs” 2026? Then follow the link and submit your application to participate!