We ask that everybody comes to Torino from 27th July to 5th August 2012 for the XVIII edition of the Festival Europa Cantat: the whole city and the region await singers from all over the world for a festival that is worthy of its long tradition. Concerts will combine with ateliers, Open Singing with the musical proposals of single choirs and studying with a holiday and the opportunity to visit an area of great cultural and artistic interest: it will be a memorable celebration for the European choral community.

On stage, Festa! and Soul food are the three guidelines which are relevant to explain what this XVIII edition of the festival represents. The theatre, which has featured so many musical genres born in Italy, from madrigal to the opera, defines the social dimension of choral singing and enhances its roots in the view of past traditions. The festa is the way we want to see ourselves now and the way we want to participate being part of a choir: it’s indeed a commitment, but a joyful effort which gives more energy compared to what it requires and which teaches people how to deal with the pressures of life with equanimity. A life that, with singing, receives nourishment for the soul which is also the third guideline of the festival. Food for children and youngsters who, in greater numbers, are approaching our choirs. These children not only being the present and the future of our choral world but also of our society. Food for adults who remember, through singing, not to lose sight of the ideals while discharging their responsibilities.

This is a meeting of people coming from all over the continent, a festival where choral singing contributes to a more conscious and united Europe. An important gift that all of us can offer singing together at the Festival Europa Cantat XVIII Torino 2012.

Sante Fornasier
President of the European Choral Association-Europa Cantat and Feniarco