GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

- The Ukrainian Choir Inspires the World with the Voice of Peace that Overcomes the Despair of War -

​The World Choir Games, which convey the message of peace in a language without borders, are in full swing in Gangneung. The World Choir Games, in which 324 teams from 34 countries around the world participate, have transformed the Gangneung area and local attractions into a music hall.

Ukraine's Girls Choir “Vognyk”, specially invited to this competition, held a congratulatory concert at the Gangneung Art Center on July 5th.

In this sold-out celebratory concert, the Vognyk Choir took the stage as the final performer following choirs from Austria, China, and the United States.

Wearing Ukrainian folk pattern design costumes, they received a standing ovation from the audience as they conveyed the harmony of peace they had preserved during the war.

Before going up to the celebratory concert, the Vognyk Choir visited the area affected by the forest fire in Gangneung and held a special performance. “We continued to practice in the underground shelters even during the air raids,” said conductor Olena Solovey. "I spent every day in the midst of the war, but I saw hope when I was asked to perform in Korea.”

The Vognyk Choir's visit to Korea, which was promoted jointly by the Gangneung World Choir Council and Joint Action Committee for Supporting Ukraine, served as an opportunity to raise awareness of the event’s purpose, “peace and prosperity for all”.

Günther Titsch, chairman of the World Choir Games Council, said, “In the past, choirs from Ukraine and Russia sang together. War is not the people's fault. The purpose of the World Choir Games is to bring people from all over the world together. People who have sung together would never point guns at each other.”

The contest will continue until July 13th, with a short break on July 8th and 9th, the weekends. And friendship concerts will be held at Gangneung’s tourist attractions such as Gyeongpo Beach, Wolhwa Street, Jeongdongjin Station, Jumunjin Port, and Gangneung Presbyterian Church.

On the 9th at 5:00 p.m., the street parade, starting from Wolhwa Street then walking all the way to Gangneung-daedohob Government Office, was a grand festival where the choirs from all over the world gather and enjoy together.

All tickets for the closing ceremony of the Gangneung World Choir Games were sold out, and the contest, awards ceremony, and friendship concert can be viewed free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. There is more information on the contest’s official website: (www.wcg2023.kr)