4500 votes of hope: Choir Festival Munich combines the world!

4500 votes of hope: Choir Festival Munich combines the world!

The 45th International Congress Pueri Cantores brings music and joy to Munich this week. From July 16 to 2025, 4,500 happy children's and youth choirs from 18 nations gather to sing together and celebrate peace. The event, which is under the motto "Cantate Domino - is polyphonic for peace", is led by Bishop Georg Bätzing, the chairman of the German Bishops' Conference. "This is a great pleasure to be here in Munich among so many young talents," explains Bätzing during the congress, such as Vatican news reported.

A highlight of the congress is the reception of Pope Francis, who will welcome around 3,000 children and adolescents in the Vatican on Saturday. The Pope will celebrate the voices of the church choir children who enrich the event with a special atmosphere with their chants. Not only services take place every day, but also peace prayers that are organized in cooperation with the local communities.

The participants not only experience spiritual moments, but also cultural highlights. The public concerts will take place in large churches and in inviting places such as Marienplatz. Here the audience can experience the diverse talents of the youth choirs up close. On Sunday, July 20th, a big closing service on Marienplatz is planned, in which Cardinal Reinhard Marx will lead the festivity.

Inscribed for peace

With the aim of celebrating faith through singing together, the congress will also have various workshops and participation in discussion. This not only offers the opportunity for musical exchange, but also promotes understanding and friendships between cultures. Workshops in social institutions and in smaller communities are part of the program that aims to strengthen solidarity and cooperation.

Overall, the participants are invited through various events and services to actively participate. Children's singing groups and youth choirs can register for the event from autumn 2024, while a pre-festival from July 12th to 16th, 2025 is planned especially for German choirs that receive international guests. The participants are different: EUR 75 per person for the standard participation, 95 EUR for self-organized accommodations and EUR 25 for the pre-festival. This ensures that as many young singers as possible can enjoy the experience of the choir festival, as can be read on the Pueri Cantores website Pueri Cantores .

The congress is not only a platform for musical performances, but also a celebration of life, community and peace. At a time when cohesion is more in demand than ever, this festival has the potential to touch heart and to provide unforgettable memories.