VietNamNet Bridge - The first Vietnam International Choir Festival ended in the ancient town of Hoi An on March 19. Top prize went to the choir from the Diponenegoro University of Indonesia.

Jefrey Franklin Bode of the choir of the Diponenegoro University (Indonesia) receives the championship.

Six first prizes were presented to the choirs of the Central University of Art Education of Vietnam, the Diponenegoro University of Indonesia, the Plaisir Ensemble choir of Hong Kong and the Coro San Benildo and llocos Norte National High School-Samiweng Singers choirs of the Philippines.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Quang Nam authorities and the Germany-based Interkultur organization jointly organized the four-day event.

It drew 30 choirs with nearly 1,000 artists from 11 countries and territories, including Germany, Hong Kong (China), Estonia, Hungary, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Spain, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

The choir of the Central University of Art Education of Vietnam receives their prize.

Jefrey Franklin Bode, leader of the choir of the Diponenegoro University of Indonesia, said: “We joined the festival to advertise Indonesian folk choir and our university to Vietnam and international friends, not to win prizes. We are very surprised to win the top prize, the Hoi An Award”.

After the award ceremony, a farewell music show took place with the participation of over 1,000 artists and volunteers. Participants also joined activities to mark Earth Hour 2011 and released lanterns to commemorate victims of the natural catastrophe in Japan.

Artists also took part in the “Night of Ancient Town” celebration and performed at five outdoor stages to entertain Hoi An people and tourists.

Thomas Schuele, representative of Interkultur, the co-organizer of the festival, said that the second choir festival would be held in Hoi An in 2013.

PV