For the first time, the Vienna International Music Festival has established a competition division in Shanghai, with competitions set to begin on April 20.

The festival made the announcement at an event at Duoyun Bookstore in Shanghai on March 29.

Founded in 2016 by the Austrian Society for Music and Music Education, the festival is one of the world's most distinguished classical music competitions.

Covering a range of musical disciplines such as piano, string instruments, and vocals, the Shanghai competition offers winners the chance to perform at Vienna's iconic Golden Hall in Austria and participate in masterclasses at renowned European music institutions.

The winners in Shanghai will advance to compete in the finals in Vienna.

Xie Guangyu, an associate professor from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, said that the festival provides a global platform for young musicians, and it has the potential to inspire more Chinese children to explore the charm of classical music.

Helmut Rakowitsch, the Austrian Consul General in Shanghai, lauded the city's rich musical tradition and vibrant musical atmosphere.

He said the introduction of the Shanghai competition not only creates a platform for musical dialogue between China and Austria but also strengthens the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

Source: thepaper.cn