GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

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- Featuring 94 teams from around the globe, boasting rich winning histories and esteemed titles

- Preparations are ready, from accommodation to transportation, for the largest choir festival in the world 

On July 3rd, the “2023 Gangneung World Choir Games” will unfold its grand stage, transcending nationalities, religions, and generations, singing for peace and prosperity, and bringing people together from around the globe.

With 323 teams from 34 countries, approximately 8,000 choir members will participate in this competition. Among them, 94 international teams boasting distinguished winning histories and titles are attracting considerable attention.

Germany's 'Sängerkreis Hildburghausen' choir, renowned for participating most frequently in the World Choir Games, has been a constant participant since their inaugural appearance in the Cincinnati competition in the United States in 2012. The choir has continued this tradition in Riga, Latvia (2014), Sochi, Russia (2016), Tshwane, South Africa (2018), Flanders, Belgium (2021), and now in Gangneung, South Korea (2023).

Belgium's 'Amaranthe' choir, shining in fifth place in the Interkultur world ranking with the highest score at the last competition in Flanders, Belgium, is also expected to grace this competition in Gangneung.

In addition, the Hong Kong youth choir 'Diocesan Boys School Choir', which has ranked first among Interkultur's Top 50 Men's Choirs since its founding in 2006, has raised high expectations, having clinched the gold medal and world champion title at the Riga, Latvia festival.

The 'Young People’s Chorus of New York City', making their first appearance at the World Choir Games, is an internationally renowned multicultural youth choir celebrated for their exceptional skills and dazzling show choirs, having received global accolades and numerous first-place victories at famous international choral competitions.

Netherlands' 'Dekoor Close Harmony', which won the champion title at the World Choir Games in 2012, 2014, and 2018, and collaborated with 'The Rolling Stones', continues to innovate at the forefront of international activities.

Additionally, the 'Kgalemang Tumediso Motsete Choir', working diligently for the preservation of Botswana's folk music, and the 'Gotu Church Choir' from the Faroe Islands, both of which will endure flights of over 20 hours to reach Korea, are among the participants arriving from the furthest locations.

Meanwhile, the Choir Games Organizing Committee has completed preparations, from accommodation to transportation, to ensure the smooth operation of the competition, allowing the choirs to focus on the competition.

To facilitate the entry and exit of foreign choir teams, an information desk has been set up at Incheon Airport. During the competition, a total of 805 dedicated buses will be provided, offering a one-stop transportation service for safe and convenient mobility.

Moreover, foreign choirs will use a total of 14,630 rooms, including 1,330 rooms per day in local accommodations, including university dormitories. With top priority given to hygiene management, food poisoning inspections will be conducted daily to prevent food safety accidents such as food poisoning during the summer.

A Gangneung city official stated, "Given that around 8,000 choir members from both domestic and foreign teams, as well as spectators, will visit Gangneung during the competition, we will meticulously prepare until the end to ensure that the competition is conducted safely."