KOREA 2009 - interkultur.com

Professor Paul Wehrle
Past President of the International Federation for Choral Music
Special Advisor and Honorary President of the Council of the INTERKULTUR Foundation
Dearest friends of choral music!
By coming to Korea, you are visiting one of
the greatest musical countries in the world.
Choral music in particular has played a significant
cultural role in Korea for many decades
now, because of the country‘s large Christian
community – ahead of Japan or China, where
a cappella music came not from the heart of
society, but from outside. Today, Korea is an
established player in all fields, and not just
that of choral music. I extend my greetings
also to my friend of many years, HAK WON
YOON.
The INTERKULTUR competitions organised by
my friend Günter Titsch all share the same
mission – not only to present choral music of
incomparable quality but also to encourage
peace and togetherness. This dual purpose is
what makes the WORLD CHOIR CHAMPION-
SHIPS so special, so unique.
You, dearest friends of choral music, are ambassadors
for the magic of music.
VIVA LA MUSICA !
What is special about the INTERKULTUR
Foundation‘s WORLD CHOIR CHAMPION-
SHIPS is that not only do they feature the
highest of musical standards, but that they
also have an ethical significance. This is clear
from their motto: "Taking part is the essential
factor – points and prizes are of secondary
importance". Above all, the WORLD CHOIR
CHAMPIONSHIPS stand for a meeting of human
beings, of groups, of countries. Despite
the competition, the WORLD CHOIR CHAMPI-
ONSHIPS are a place of togetherness.
My thoughts, with a passionate heart and
concentrated mind, linger with this still divided
land of Korea. I would like also to draw
your attention to it. For a long time, Germany,
too, was a divided country – yet we got back
together again. May Korea, despite all its current
problems, reunite soon too.
13 인사말 · Greetings